A MAJOR town centre building left empty following the closure of a High Street retailer could be transformed into live/work units within a year.

The former MK One store in Burslem is the latest site to be earmarked for development in the Mother Town.

Plans submitted by the owner of the Queen Street building propose to convert its upper levels into 13 units.

The ground floor and basement would be left empty for retail use.

Talks are also understood to be ongoing to move the Burslem School of Art into the building.

Gulshan Property Holdings, of London, bought the building in 2007, the year before MK One went into administration and closed.

But Sunil Gulshan, who runs the firm, said there was a demand for the live/work units as Stoke-on-Trent City Council looks to create an arts and crafts and small business hub in the Mother Town.

He added: "A similar scheme was heavily oversubscribed and the council has identified a need for live/work units over pure residential use.

"The aim is to get more little companies coming in and bring back people living in the town."

Mr Gulshan continued: "Once we get planning permission, the work will probably start in the middle of this year and take around 12 months to complete."

The development would have a mix of one or two bedroom  units.

Each unit would have a large living room and workspace area, while a shared meeting room will also be created.

The application will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday and has been recommended for approval.

A report to councillors reads: "The proposal would make good use of a heritage building and contribute to the regeneration of Burslem town centre."

Regeneration body Midland Heart started work on live/work units in Queen Street in 2005 as part of a £1.6 million initiative.

The units drew in 12 businesses in the first two years and are now home to artists, photographers and designers.