The Co-operative Group is eyeing an empty office in the to open a new convenience store.
The chain's food division has brought forward new plans to convert vacant office space at 7 Newhall Square into a 3,130 sq ft store, expected to employ 25 full- and part-time staff.
If successful, the shop would benefit from the office occupiers and Travelodge hotel on the site, the new Staycity serviced apartment complex, and a busy residential community.
However, it would have to compete with a Simply Local and two Tesco Express convenience stores which are all within a short walk of the application site.
The Co-op food store would be built on the ground floor of a five-storey office block fronting onto Charlotte Street which was occupied by built environment charity
It would be open from 7am to 11pm.
Newhall Square was once the home of the city's science museum but this closed in 1997 since when several regeneration projects have taken place including new office space, a Travelodge hotel and the Staycity redevelopment.