A SMALL shop unit in West Kilbride could be brought back into use under new plans lodged with North Ayrshire Council.

An application has been lodged by James Morgan for a 'certificate of lawfulness' in relation to the former Keystore store on 97 Main Street.

The unit was first used as a licensed convenience store in 1820, and traded as 'Dunlop Grocers', under James Dunlop, until around 1907.

According to documents lodged with the local authority, it was first formally registered in August 1993, with the registration transferring to a new tenant 13 years later.

In his formal application, Mr Morgan states: "The shop has been under this same use since the 1800s and I believe it would greatly benefit the town to re-open this under its original use and reduce the number of currently idle properties on the Main Street whilst bringing employment to the area.

"I was advised to apply for a 'certificate of lawful use' based on the fact although there were no planning documents available for the site, it has operated in planning terms under the same use for the last 10-plus years."

The application is currently pending consideration and can be viewed in full via the council's online planning portal searching for reference 24/00372/LUE.