An empty grade II* listed building in the city centre, which formerly was home to NatWest bank, could be turned into a steakhouse.

Plans have been drawn up to turn the St Martin’s building into a Middleton’s Steakhouse Grill.

The company opened in 2010 just outside King’s Lynn, in Norfolk, and they now also have restaurants in Norwich, Colchester, and Milton Keynes.

Leicester Civic Society chairman Stuart Bailey said the application was good news.

“We are all in favour of new uses for old buildings,” he said.

Drew Harriman, owner of homeware shop Harriman and Co, in St Martin’s, said: “It is really encouraging if something is going there.

“We are pleased all the empty buildings and spaces are filling up, especially that one, because a lot of our customers say it is a shame there is nothing there.

“We are getting really excited about what is happening at the moment. There is a lot of energy and new businesses opening.”

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