One of the “many vacant business properties” in the centre of Bath is set to reopen as an Italian restaurant.

Umberto Fiorenza has won permission to use the former Coop Bank branch in Milsom Street that has been closed since May 2018 for his new project.

Concept images show the business will be called Napoli Special or Floriani.

Plans approved last week by Bath and North East Somerset Council say: “Our client has been in the hospitality industry for more than 50 years and has opened several restaurants in the Bath area in the past.

“The proposed conversion to a restaurant gives the opportunity to bring back one of the many vacant business properties in the centre of Bath.

“The proposed works have a minimum impact on the existing historic fabric and are mostly reversible.

“The kitchen and accessible toilet area, which will see the biggest work, have undergone major works for changes in the past and have no significant historic features left.”

LDRS, Stephen Sumner