Largs Community Council have backed a proposal for a new restaurant in Boyd Street which is set to go to North Ayrshire planning.
Concerns had been raised by residents regarding over-provision in the area with a number of eateries in the neighbourhood, and lack of available parking for residents.
As recently reported, an application has been made to NAC to convert a former newspaper and groceries shop into a small restaurant with a takeaway facility.
On entering the premises the restaurant would occupy most of the ground floor.
The main servery would serve both the restaurant and the takeaway. Within this area would be an open layout kitchen and servery for both the restaurant and the takeaway. Offset to the right upon entering the restaurant would be a small takeaway waiting area.
Bennetts development and consulting, the agents acting for applicants Save Estates, stated: “The proposed development represents an opportunity to recycle this empty single storey building and to create a small quality restaurant."
Resident Robert Brown said: "Some of the residents are not too amused, saying we are now going to have a tapas bar, Chinese restaurant, and now this, and the general opinion was that it would add to the parking congestion, and is there not enough restaurants and cafes in Largs. Boyd Street is bad enough in terms of traffic, and what is it going to do with litter? Having three carry-outs in one wee street.
Secretary Anne Carson said: "We can't object to competition. Business is business, although there are problems with litter. The tapas bar is fabulous in Boyd Street."
Douglas Blair "The other alternative is leaving it as an empty building which isn't an attractive option."
Independent councillor Ian Murdoch said: "The clothes shop, second hand goods shop and newsagents have all closed down. That whole area is needing a lift, and it certainly needs some occupied shops, but I am not taking part in this debate in particularly. It concerns me from a personal point of view that there are a number of empty premises. Farmfoods has a massive footfall, and a bakery, but without them, that whole end of town would be at a loss."