This restaurant chain will replace Wolverhampton's Topshop/Topman
A rising restaurant chain will bring open its first Black Country site in Wolverhampton in a boost to the city centre.
Wolverhampton's Topshop/Topman's store will become the new home for a restaurant chain's first outlet in the city.
The well-known clothing chain is closing its city centre shop, in Dudley Street, in April.
It was named among the outlets for the axe by business tycoon Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Group.
But now Wolverhampton is set for a boost with rising restaurant and cafe brand Loungers taking its place.
What is Loungers?
Loungers is a growing restaurant chain with a reputation for bright and highly-decorated eateries which have been springing up in cities and towns across the country.
There are already Loungers outlets across parts of Staffordshire, Wyre Forest and Birmingham but this would be its first restaurant in the Black Country.
It already has Verso Lounge, in Tipping Street, Stafford; Tappeto Lounge in Exchange Street, Kidderminster; Faro, in Market Street, Lichfield; alongside others in Sutton Coldfield, Harborne, Northfield, Moseley, Kings Heath, and Telford.
Loungers was founded in 2002 by friends, Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop, according its website.
It opened its first outlet in Bristol and has gradually opened more across the country including Weston-super-Mare.
A planning statement accompanying its plans for its Wolverhampton outlet, officials said: "Loungers Limited is a food and drink operator with a focus on the continental-in-style café/bistro concept, creating an informal and neighbourhood food-led café/restaurant open all day every day where family, friends, and local residents can meet, eat and drink in a relaxed and comfortable environment."
A variety of board games will be available, along with daily newspapers to read and a neighbourhood book-swap facility.
The plans have been approved by Wolverhampton Council.
An opening date for the restaurant has yet to be revealed.
Why is Topshop/Topman closing?
Topshop has been among the most popular shops on Dudley Street over the years but has now been revealed as one of the branches to be axed by Sir Philip Green.
Green’s Arcadia Group has had to close down 48 stores and cut rent on a further 194 as it battles the volatile trading conditions on the high street.
The billionaire tycoon's Arcadia Group agreed to go ahead with a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in the summer resulting in the closure of some Topshop/Topman and Dorothy Perkins stores.
Huge sale signs have gone up at the Dudley Street shop now known as Topshop/Topman Outlet with discounts of up to 70 per cent available on some lines.