A new restaurant could soon take the place of the closed Bella Italia in Above Bar Street.

An application has been submitted to Southampton City Council for a sign at 107 Above Bar Street.

Plans reveal that a sign for a restaurant named Dao is due to be installed. The plans refer to it as a restaurant, and as a noodle bar.

Applicant George Lim, of GE Star Enterprises Ltd, wants to have 13 tables on the ground floor of the new restaurant.

When the site was advertised to let, Newton Scott - commercial property consultants - said: "The area has seen considerable recent development with new occupiers including Revolucion de Cuba, Caffe Nero and a new Chinese restaurant next door, joining the likes of Yates, KFC and Sprinkles Gelato.

"Guildhall Square is nearby providing a mix of restaurants and theatre/Art Gallery.

"The property, which is arranged on basement, ground and two upper floors, has been stripped-out and is now offered in a shell & core condition, ready for a new tenant’s fit-out program."

Southampton City Council is due to make a decision on the bid for a sign at a later date.