Plans have been lodged for a major transformation of Aberdeen’s indoor market and old BHS building.

The owner of both properties Rockspring has submitted an application to Aberdeen City Council to revamp the current Union Street site as a modern retail space.

A design statement with the application, by Halliday Fraser Munro, said the redevelopment of the market will see an “under-utilised, unloved building” revitalised into a “vibrant retail space”.

Under the plans, new shopfronts will be introduced on to The Green and Market Street with the intention of providing better pedestrian access.

The proposals indicate that the development could include bar and restaurant uses, as well as retail.

Earlier this year the city council pulled out of a planned joint residential development at the site, claiming it was not “financially viable”.

Rockspring later said it would be developing a retail space instead.

Under the proposals, the lowest two floors of the existing market building on The Green would be opened up with floor-to-ceiling glazing.

The design statement also indicates the existing facade, which is currently covered by a mural created during this year’s Nuart festival, would be “revitalised” by installing metal cladding.

The Market Street frontage will be remodelled with double height glazed screens.

The design statement adds that the new development at Marischal Square will bring people up Union Street and through Broad Street.

And it said The Green, Hadden Street and Market Street would all benefit from a more “active frontage” which would encourage more pedestrians to the area.