A NEW Caribbean restaurant has popped up in the city centre.

Indies, which serves fresh street food and ‘fusion’ cuisine, has opened in the unused space behind the former Natwest bank on London Road.

The restaurant is run by Hubert Hars, which co-owns the Oxford Brasserie on Oxford Street, and promises to offer a laid-back spot for hungry shoppers and workers.

Planning permission was given to Mr Hars by Southampton City Council, and in the proposal developers Primmer Olds BAS said: “The proposal will provide for on-site litter bins to prevent the risk of any adverse impact on the amenities of the area through the discarding of litter.

“CCTV will be installed – this will not only act as surveillance for the property but also provide a means of added safety to customers and the general public in the location both during and outside opening hours.

“Any potential for adverse impacts caused by cooking smells will be prevented by installation of the latest in cooking filtration and extraction apparatus.”

It has permission to open between 8am and 12am every day and, according to the planning application ,will employ four full-time and two part-time members of staff.

Last year, Natwest confirmed it was closing a number of branches including the Southampton unit, as part of more than 100 bank closures by its parent company the Royal Bank of Scotland.