PLANS have been approved to turn a former Wetherspoons pub in Oldham into a restaurant seating more than 300 people.

A change-of-use application was issued to convert the upper floor of The Squire Knott on Yorkshire Street to create an upper floor roof top of the building to a restaurant dining area including a Juliette balcony.

It also wants to make a covered roof top restaurant on the first floor associated with ground floor.

It is expected that the restaurant will fit 196 people on the ground floor and 128 on the first floor.

The layout of the ground floor is set to include a reception /service area, a place for customers to sit and space of food preparation.

A planning statement argued that the "formation of (a) new eating area on the first floor would provide customers with (a) pleasant view from the top looking at the skyline and enjoying the food with a modern new eating experience."

The proposals have been granted by Oldham Council.