Change is coming to Alton town centre as plans to convert a former bank into a family-friendly restaurant have received a boost.

East Hampshire District Council has granted Loungers UK Ltd a premises licence for the former NatWest branch at 38 High Street.

The yet-to-be named Lounge restaurant - the nearest branch is Clavio’s in Rams Walk, Petersfield - is scheduled to open next spring and will create 25 new jobs.

The licensing committee gave the green light at their September 23 meeting despite concerns about noise, bin cleanliness and fire exits by three residents on the floors above.

The police and environmental officers both raised concerns during the 28-day statutory consultation period but objections were withdrawn after calls to reduce its opening hours were accepted by the Lounge’s agent, Caileigh Haribson.

The licence was approved with the opening hours for the 130-seat restaurant starting at 8am each day.

Alcohol on and off-sales times will be allowed from 10am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, 10am to midnight from Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 2am on New Year’s Eve.

There are more than 230 lounge premises, each with a different name. The agent said he welcomed a new name suggestion for the Alton Lounge; French or Spanish and ending in an “o”.

Objections from resident Charlotte Fisher over the fire exit and safety was a planning issue but another agent, Bob Botaki, said he would liaise with her over these concerns.

He said: “The benefit of a live hearing is building relationships with our neighbours.”

Fellow objector Becca Cassidy said there are issues of rats, maggots, birds, and smells from the bins below her flat and a gravel alleyway that will be noisy when moving the bins. The council’s lawyer said in the decision that was a matter for the landowner.