A former car showroom in Ely looks set to get a new lease of life as a convenience store.

Paresh, Ashish and Bharat Patel have applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council for a premises licence to open a branch of the national chain Nisa in the former Marshall garage, in St Mary’s Street.

The specialist Vauxhall garage was closed by Marshall in 2012 and has been the subject of persistent speculation following several planning applications.

If granted, the premises licence would allow the Patels to sell alcohol from the premises between 7am and 11pm Monday to Sunday.

Nisa has thousands of outlets across the UK, including stores in Little Downham and Burwell.

The licensing application will be considered by the district council’s licensing committee.