An abandoned former cinema which was once the home of Regent and ABC during the last century could be reborn as a Zizzi restaurant.
Italian-themed group Azzurri Restaurants, which also runs the Ask chain, has lodged new plans to convert the ground floor of the Grade II-listed building into a Zizzi with a capacity of around 170 seats.
The foyer of the site, on the corner of Ethel Street and New Street, was most recently a Cashino amusement arcade but this closed in January 2013 since when it has remained empty.
New plans for the building include internal seating for 132, a mezzanine level with staff facilities and toilets and outdoor seating comprising 18 tables and 36 chairs, in a project expected to create 37 full- and part-time jobs.
If given the green light, the restaurant would become Zizzi's fourth in the area, joining sites in The Mailbox, Harborne and Solihull and would also benefit from a high footfall due to its proximity to New Street station and the Colmore business district.
It would pit itself into competition with sister restaurant Ask, Wagamama and Bella Italia - all in New Street.
A statement prepared by Buckinghamshire-based consultancy Walsingham Planning to accompany the application said: "Bringing the property back into gainful use is even more important in this instance because the building is listed.
"National planning policy emphasises the importance of keeping listed buildings in active use as this is the best way to ensure their long-term survival.
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"The application proposal represents a significant financial investment in the building which has been vacant for over two years. The restaurant use would be appropriate for the listed building and give it a new lease of life."
The building was featured in pullout which contained news of upcoming events which will take a glimpse behind the doors of some of the city's most fascinating buildings.
The four-storey site was originally built as a masonic hall in 1869 and was converted into the Theatre de Luxe in 1908.
It changed its name in 1922 to the Regent and underwent a major renovation which brought its capacity up to 1,200 seats.
In 1961, another name change saw it become the ABC New Street until its closure in 1983 - a year after it was awarded Grade II listed status.
The foyer was later converted into an amusement arcade while the upper parts of the cinema were abandoned and forgotten (see gallery above).
Office accommodation elsewhere in the complex is still in use.
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This is the latest in a long line of restaurant and bar launches in Birmingham city centre including Lasan's Nosh & Quaff at 130 Colmore Row, Cosy Club in Bennetts Hill which opened last month and Gas Street Social at The Mailbox.
Zizzi declined to comment on the application.