A historic former factory in the which dates back to the late 1800s could soon be housing a new gallery to showcase artwork and antiques.
New plans have been submitted to transform the rear workshop area of the empty Grade II-listed 48 Frederick Street into a gallery and showroom with a bar and restaurant or café.
It will be run by Ana Rocha Bar & Gallery, a company created by Spanish-based partnership Edgar Vera and Ana Rocha who already have experience of running similar ventures abroad.
They specialise in the sale of art, vintage goods, antiques, furniture and other curiosities and the project is expected to create ten full- and part-time positions.
The gallery would be and benefit from high footfall and passing trade from nearby shops, businesses and bars including Tesco, Vertu Bar and Fredericks Coffee Lounge & Bar.
A design statement prepared by Harc Design Bureau for the application said the frontage of the 3,380 sq ft building was originally built around 1870 and the rear workshop was added by the late 1880s.
"It was listed in the 1870s as being occupied by 'watch manufacturers' and went through various incarnations including general jewellers, paper merchants, gold ring manufacturers and a metal processing firm," the report added.
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"It was the offices of Reliable Stamping Limited until it became vacant in 2010.
"The building was then purchased by the applicant who has since carried out the conversion of the basement and the two-storey frontage building into offices.
"The primary features that contribute to its scale, such as the external door proportions and positions and the existing roofscape, are all retained and restored as part of the works.
"The design rationale is to retain what is original and of value and restore any element that has been lost over the years back to its original state whilst still referencing the former industrial use of this part of the building as distinctly different to the more residential feel of the rest of the property."