THE news that the Squire Knott in Oldham is to transform into a restaurant has been met with a flood of comments from readers.

The former Wetherspoons pub on Yorkshire Street is to become a restaurant complete with a rooftop terrace that will provide “a modern new eating experience,” according a planning statement submitted to Oldham council by Istanbul Restaurant Ltd.

Commenting on the news story on Facebook, one reader said: “If it’s to be a decent sit-down restaurant then I’m all for it. But please, not another takeaway.”

Their view was echoed by several other readers.

One wrote: “Oldham does not need another takeaway, but it does need another decent restaurant.”

Another added: “If it’s a proper restaurant where you can sit down and have a beer with your food then I’m all for it but if it’s another cheap tacky takeaway then no.”

According to the planning statement the restaurant will provide “sitting facilities” for 196 people on the ground floor and 128 people on the first floor.

One reader commented: “It looks very nice. I cannot wait to try it,” and another added: “Nice- Turkish restaurant selling some different food for the town centre. A welcome addition.”

Renovation works have already begun on the building which has remained empty for a year.

Anticipating the reopening of pubs post lockdown, a less-enthused reader said: “I hope it is Turkish, we need something different. But would rather it still be a Wetherspoons, no pubs left in Oldham as it is.”

She added: “Used to be a good night out in Oldham, we need it thriving at night time again.”

The new restaurant comes amid mounting fears over the future of Oldham’s high street, which has been hit hard by successive lockdowns.

One reader wrote: “We need all the high-quality entertainment options we can get. Now shopping has moved to the internet, the future of town centres lies in leisure.”

Conversely, another reader said: “I’d rather have a Dunelm, Range or Ikea.”

The planning application is currently open for consultation and is expected to be decided by planning officers the end of March.