A new restaurant is set to appear on Biddulph's high street.

Turmeric Indian Restaurant and Dessert Bar is set to take over the vacant unit which belonged to The Swan.

Planning permission to change the use of the building from a pub to a restaurant was approved in September 2022.

The planning officers report stated: "The change of use to a restaurant is an acceptable town centre use. Although the loss of a pub would be unfortunate as these are deemed to be community facilities, the site is in the middle of a town centre on the High Street and there are other nearby pub including one directly opposite. 

"The re-use of the building into another town centre use would be preferable to the risk of the unit remaining vacant in the long terms to the detriment of the character and appearance of the town centre as well as its vitality and viability."

One local business said: "I think it will be good for the High Street, if it opens. Nobody wants to see empty buildings in the town."

However there has been no work carried out for the past couple of weeks according to residents. They said they saw the new owner frequently when work first started but now he hasn't been seen in weeks.

Biddulph resident Susan Ryan said: "The building looks a bit of a mess at the moment, they have put boards up to cover the windows but it has been like that for the past couple of months. 

"I used to see the new owner regularly because he asked me if I would come in and eat there once it opened but I haven't seen him in weeks."

Updates have been posted to the restaurants Facebook page which show new air conditioner units have been installed along with new lighting.

There are no details of the opening date yet however it is understood that good progress is being made.