POPULAR restaurant chain Nando's have made official moves to take over a listed building in Glasgow's West End.

The firm put a planning application into Glasgow City Council this week to make internal and external alterations, and display illuminated signage on a listed building in Vinicombe Street, Hillhead.

The application comes after plans to use the vacant Botanic Gardens Garage as three restaurants, a gym and community space were previously approved.

City planners have to approve for Nando's to fit-out the approved restaurant because the building is Category A listed.

In March, Nando's was also granted permission to use the public footpath as a seating area.

A planning statement said: "The use of the unit as a Class 3 restaurant has already

been established. This statement is submitted in support of listed building consent applications relating to the fit-out works necessary to enable the restaurant to begin trading and advertisement consent for the associated signage."

The statement adds: "The proposed signage has been designed to be sympathetic to the listed building and surrounding conservation area and is limited in scale, creating an attractive façade to the Botanic Garage."

The Botanic Garage was designed by local architect David Valentine Wyllie for the owner at the time. It was constructed between 1906 and 1912, and it was purpose built as a motor garage. It was thought to be one of the oldest garages in the UK until it ceased trading in 2007.

Nando's began life in South Africa where it was founded in 1987.

The chain specialises in Mozambican-Portuguese style chicken dishes with various piri-piri marinades.

We previously reported that Glasgow City Council had approved for the firm to open up near Central Station in the city centre.

They are expected to open up on Waterloo Street in the ground floor of the SSE/Scottish Hydro building.

There are already two existing Nando's restaurants in the city centre including Sauchiehall Street and St Enoch's.