PLANS to convert a Bournemouth town centre shop into a restaurant have been rejected for a second time.

Tryst Enterprises had applied to BCP Council to change the use of the former mobile phone repair store in Old Christchurch Road.

But planning officers refused the request on Wednesday due to concerns about noise and odour impacts.

Last year, sushi restaurant Kokoro agreed to take on the unit subject to permission being granted for a change of use.

This was refused in October because of the loss of a retail premises and the lack of any proposals for an extraction system.

The chain has since applied to take over the nearby former Jones Bootmaker unit.

A second application was lodged by Tryst in June.

Its planning consultants RR Planning said the change had been requested due to the lack of interest from retail businesses in taking on the building.

“The property has been marketed since March 2012,” its statement said. “There has been no serious interest in the property from any retail occupiers.

“Indeed, the premises has a history of vacancy and poor quality retail use.”

Since 2012 the store has mainly been occupied by phone repair businesses and is currently temporarily run as a souvenir shop.

The statement said that a confectionery chain made a below-market rate offer in April last year but this was later withdrawn.

“Given the history of the premises and the near total lack of viable retail interest in the site during its long marketing campaign,  its reuse as a restaurant will have a more positive impact on the vitality and viability of this part of the town centre,” the statement added.

“Restaurant use will undoubtedly add to diversity in the town centre without harming its predominant retail character and function.”

Despite this, the council refused the request due to the lack of information about the potential impacts the change could have on people living nearby.

In a report, planning officers said: “No information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed use could take place without causing unacceptable loss of amenity to the nearby residential properties because of noise disturbance and odour impacts.”