A VACANT restaurant in the heart of Knutsford could be set to reopen after a premises licence request was lodged with Cheshire East Council.

The unit on Regent Street was formerly occupied by Parma, and before that Via Via.

Parma, an Italian restaurant and bar, closed on January 22 this year.

When it was open it had proved to be a popular spot with Knutsfordians but had a long running battle with Cheshire East Council over permission to install an outside seating area at the front of the premises.

The restaurant sent a message on Twitter when it closed saying: "A heart felt (sic) goodbye and thank you to all our dear friends and loyal customers over the years from Via Via and @ParmaKnutsford."

The business, which was registered at Companies House as Via Via Ltd, was dissolved on April 15, 2015, owing £100,698.30 to creditors.

According to financial records, the company was first placed in voluntary liquidation in January 2013, with Trafford-based Beverley Budsworth being the liquidator. At the time of liquidation Knutsford resident Marco Dellapina was listed as secretary and director and fellow Knutsfordian Raffaele Merolle as a director.

The company was finally dissolved on August 5.

But in September the licence was requested by the new operators giving hope the vacant unit is set to reopen.

Rachel Choudhary and Kevin Choudhary have applied to Cheshire East Council for the premises licence to provide the following licensable activities: Sale and supply of alcohol (for consumption on the premises) on Sunday to Thursday from 12pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12am, recorded music (indoors) on Monday to Thursday 12pm to 11.30pm and Friday and Saturday 12pm to 12am and Sunday 12pm to 11pm.

The licence request would also include 'late night refreshment (indoors) on Sunday to Thursday 11pm to 11.30pm and Friday and Saturday 11pm to 12am.

Any person wishing to make representation in relation to this application may do so in writing by October 15 to: The Licensing Section, Cheshire East Council, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe, CW1 2BJ.

Are you the new operators of the unit? Call the newsdesk on 01606 813617 or email james.wilson@nqnw.co.uk