A HISTORIC building which was previously home to a string of unsuccessful restaurants could now be transformed into a takeaway and hostel.

Blueprints submitted to Colchester Council show a desire to officially change the use of 9 North Hill, which is an 18th century Grade II-listed property.

According to planning documents, the site’s new owners want to establish a food preparation kitchen on the ground floor and in the basement.

They would also like to use the site’s first and second floors as a House of Multiple Occupation consisting of as many as four rooms.

The building in line for the potential transformation is located within a conservation area due to its historical character, meaning it is “worthy of preservation”.

A spokesman for Walsh and Associates Ltd said: “This application proposes no alteration works to the fabric of the property.

“[It] therefore does not affect the historic fabric of the property in any way.”

9 North Hill was previously used for Bistro & Bar Below and Number Nine, two eateries which were both owned by restaurateur Tony Cole.

The later was closed down ten months after opening with Mr Cole owing £145,000 to food suppliers, Colchester Council and the taxman.

Bistro & Bar Below, meanwhile, shutdown in January 2016 following a poor month of trading in the previous December, about a year after launching.