A RESTAURANT and former bank in Southampton could be transformed with a new extension and roof top bar.

The listed building at 165-168 High Street Southampton is currently the home of Chinese restaurant Shanghai 1814 and was previously Midland and HSBC bank.

But now plans have been submitted for a new 5-storey rear extension, made up with a new cocktail bar, Teppanyaki restaurant, sky bar and basement servicing.

Put forward by the owners of the business, the plans would see the extension placed at the rear of the building on an area that is currently parking spaces.

Daily Echo: Former bank at High Street, Southampton. Photo from: Shanghai Lan 1814/Southampton City Council planning portal. Former bank at High Street, Southampton. Photo from: Shanghai Lan 1814/Southampton City Council planning portal.

The spaces are described as “redundant” in the application, with planners saying the scheme would “not only revitalises the existing buildings appearance but also the street scene around it”.

The front of the building was originally built in 1900 and the site has been grade II listed since 1981.

Access to the new area would be from a new corner entrance off of Castle Way and Albion Place which would lead into the ground floor cocktail bar.

The applicant added that the aim of the scheme is to “Create stand out speciality dining destination/experience in the heart of the city with rooftop view of passenger ships within designated evening zone.

“Following the successful launch and running of the Shanghai concept, the owners of the business and the building wish to expand the concept, making use of redundant parking space at the back of the building, to provide new facilities within a stunning new extension”.

Daily Echo: Plans for the new extension at Shanghai 1814, High Street, Southampton. Photo from: Shanghai Lan 1814/Southampton City Council planning portal. Plans for the new extension at Shanghai 1814, High Street, Southampton. Photo from: Shanghai Lan 1814/Southampton City Council planning portal.

It is also said that new jobs will be created if the plans get the go ahead but it is not yet known how many jobs would be on offer.

Having submitted the plans on January 4, a consultation has now been launched with neighbours of the building which will last until January 26.

A decision is set to be made on the plans by March 1.

More information on the plans can be found on the Southampton City Council planning portal.