A NEW restaurant could soon be taking over the former Farmfoods store in Inverkeithing.

The supermarket closed in November but plans have already been submitted to change the retail unit into a restaurant with a takeaway facility on the High Street.

Applicant Sava Estates also wants to provide a function room with its own space for events on the second floor of the building.

However, there is no mention of what type of cuisine the restaurant may serve.

The building at 73-75 High Street was placed on the market in December at a guide price of £165,000.

It was due to go up for auction in Glasgow next month if no offer was accepted.

The planning statement reads: "The proposed development will see the change of use of the premises from a food store to a quality restaurant offering an ancillary takeaway service so that patrons who do not wish to dine can still enjoy the quality fare on offer.

"Given the parking available at the roadside and opposite, parking will not be a problem.

"The restaurant will help to animate this stretch of the High Street and by virtue of the movement of people will contribute to the safety and security of the area as well as offering a new dining experience in the town.

"In the evening and in the winter, the splay of light from the premises will illuminate the footpath and contribute further to the ambience of the area and the quality of the urban experience."

It is anticipated that the opening hours will be Sunday to Thursday, 10am-11pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am-midnight.

Farmfoods had been on the High Street in Inverkeithing for at least 20 years.

The Press reported that staff had told customers that the lease on the High Street store was due to run out on November 11 and the new owners of the premises were no longer willing to rent it out for retail space.

However, Farmfoods were unwilling to comment.

The news came as a shock for many residents who relied on the store for shopping.

Concerned customer John Lloyd said the place was not just a shop but a “community hub”.

Councillor David Barratt said: "I would hope that anyone buying a business is offering something that Inverkeithing needs.

"I'm still not particularly happy that it is not a Farmfoods but we are where we are.

"I do think people need somewhere else to sit down and eat other than the Gulshan.

"The only place to go for a meal at night-time is there.

"Hopefully it is not another Indian restaurant as the Gulshan has a fantastic reputation.

"It's good that there is movement though because it could have just sat there derelict."