Midlands Business, Property David Casey

A popular Mexican street food chain co-founded by a former MasterChef winner is set enter the bustling Birmingham food and drink market with plans to open a restaurant in the heart of the city's central business district.

Wahaca has applied for planning permission to convert the basement and ground floor of 13 Temple Street, a property previously occupied by TSB Bank, into its latest outlet.

Planning consultancy Firstplan, which has drawn up the proposals, said the restaurant would regenerate the vacant site, providing employment and contributing to the "vitality and vibrancy" of the area.

Wahaca was established in 2007 by Mark Selby and Thomasina Miers, two years after Miers won BBC cookery show Masterchef.

Inspired by Miers’ travels around Mexico, she and Selby set about recreating Mexico’s vibrant flavours and social dining culture in a restaurant setting at home in the UK.

The chain has expanded from its first eatery in London's Covent Garden to trade from 26 locations across the UK, 18 of which are in London.

It said the planned Birmingham base would create a "modern and appealing restaurant" that fits in with other commercial units along Temple Street and the wider area.

Wahaca serves tapas-style dishes, including its signature pork pibil tacos.

Earlier this year, the business launched a new food product range in partnership with All About Food. Wahaca's Soft Taco Kits are now available in 900 Tesco stores across the UK.

CBRE is marketing the remaining space at 13 Temple Street.