A WINCHESTER resident has pressed civic chiefs to undertake a revamp of a building to create a continental cafe ambience.

Ender Smyth said the Casson Block on St George’s Street was ripe for a refurbishment with the outdoor area perfect for cafe and restaurant tables.

Mr Smyth told the town forum: “It is south-facing; in summer there is beautiful shade from the canopy of four trees. It is a quarter of Winchester that has a continentail feel. It has great potential for a bit of creativity.”

Tom Romita, of Tom’s Deli and Miff Kayum, of Bengal Sage, both in St George’s Street, have been campaigning for the work to be carried out for several years.

Steve Tilbury, corporate director, said a scheme had been proposed but subsequently shelved.

He said the forthcoming Town Access Plan may have proposals for St George’s Street which made the revamp envisaged by Mr Smyth premature.

But city architect Michael Carden, a senior member of the City of Winchester Trust, told the forum that Sir Hugh Casson who designed the block in the 1960s was one of the country’s most renowned architects.

Although currently out of fashion, the concrete modernist structure would soon be appreciated again.