The approval of a new restaurant in a disused Largs building has been hailed as a milestone moment for the town.

A planning application to transform the former Helter Skelter youth club in Gallowgate Street was given the green light by planners late last month.

Fears had been raised about the state and safety of the building for many years, and was labelled an eyesore on the seafront.

The building, which opened in Largs during the early 2000s, was a volunteer-run escape for teenagers with gaming facilities and a pool table upstairs.

However, the premises, which is next to the derelict former Anaya’s restaurant, fell into a state of disrepair with the owners unable to find new tenants to take on the seafront spot.

Gordon Craig, owner of restaurant chain Tinto Tapas, had put forward plans for a new eatery at the site, although it is not confirmed if this will be another tapas establishment or something different.

Plans indicate the restaurant could seat up to 42 people inside at tables, as well as a further five customers at the bar.

Two tables have also been included as street seating, with four customers able to sit out on Gallowgate Street at the front of the restaurant.

The eatery also includes two accessible toilets and a kitchen fitted by a specialist contractor to the rear of the restaurant.

The upper floor of the building would be used as a residential apartment, with fire and sound protection installed between the floors.

Independent North Coast councillor Ian Murdoch, who has campaigned for years to bring the building back to life, believes it will give the whole town a boost.

He said: “I am delighted that the building will finally be in use, and is being renovated to a high standard.

“It will be a big boost for that whole stretch, and will make such a huge difference to Largs and the shorefront in particular.

“It is a good building close to the centre of town, and I’m glad its potential for another eatery has been realised.

“With Allegria just a few doors down and a host of cafes not far away, it is becoming a new eating street which should attract plenty of foot traffic.”

Despite the positive development, councillor Murdoch insists the former Anaya’s building remains an eyesore which must be fixed.

He explained: “I am hoping with this development that we see new interest in the Anaya’s building which I have been trying to see upgraded for a considerable amount of time.

“I actually stood outside it with the council chief executive several years ago and we highlighted it as a problem area in the town.

“It can’t be good for the two businesses on either side to have that in the middle, it’s a mess both visually and structurally.”