NOT everyone would associate Warrington with a culinary revolution - but, slowly but surely, a number of new business ventures are helping to change that perception.

Guardian Business has learned that another gastronome is looking to tickle the town's tastebuds - and is set to breathe new life into a prime location which has stood empty for many a long month.

Belgian businessman Guy Ransbottyn is putting his faith in second floor Church Street premises, above Wilkies Tavern and the Royal Bombay Indian restaurant, for his continental conquest.

It was formerly home to The Island Lodge pub, which closed abruptly in the mid-90s.

Guy, whose partner Karen Dorman hails from Grappenhall, told Guardian Business: "This style of restaurant was missing in the Warrington area and that's why we decided to open here."

He is hoping to introduce a changing menu - anything from French and Italian to Greek, Spanish or Turkish - which can change according to the seasons and European customs and festivals.

The grade II listed building is currently being fitted out for a provisional mid-October opening.

No fewer than four new restaurants and bistros have sprung up in the town centre alone in the past couple of years to whet different appetites.

Le Frog was the one of the first to get the ball rolling, taking up residence in the converted former Post Office headquarters in Springfield Street.

Late last year business partners Ahmad Miah and Mashukul Hoque finished converting the Tudor cottage, near where Oliver Cromwell once lodged, also in Church Street.

Known now simply as The Cottage, the landmark property was previously a brasserie, Cromwells Eating House, a decade ago.

And last month Marc Ishaque dared to be different and launched Stonegrill 95 at the Old Town House, Buttermarket Street, where the food is cooked using volcanic rock.

Especially in the case of the Church Street-Buttermarket Street axis, location could prove to be everything.

Fresh customers galore could be in the offing, as the former Lockers factory is bulldozed to make way for 158 houses, and another 170 properties are being sought a stone's throw away on the old Ryland nailworks site off Dalton Bank.

Not forgetting a certain 11-storey apartment complex, promising 550 homes, walking distance away on the banks of the Mersey.