A London-based Italian restaurant chain is set to take over the old Ask site in Reading town centre.
The St Mary’s Butts restaurant closed during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.
Now, Zia Lucia wants to open its first location outside of London, and has chosen Reading to be its 10th branch.
The Ask unit was divided after building owners Warrant Investments won planning consent to separate it into two units in March 2021 (plan reference 201390), with one becoming Biryani Mama early last year.
In preparation for opening, Zia Lucia has applied to Reading Borough Council for permission to sell alcohol indoors and outdoors from 11.30am to 11pm each day.
The staff do not require a licence to sell food.
Comments, which are public, can be made by Friday, November 24. They can be emailed to: licensing@reading.gov.uk