A former car sales yard in Maryport could be converted into four multi-purpose industrial units.

Solway Car Sales on Mealpot Road is owned by businessman Paul McGee, who now runs a chain of Hungry Caterpillar restaurants in Workington, Cockermouth and Whitehaven.

Mr McGee has submitted a planning application to Allerdale Council to create the units.

He said the car wash beside the motor sale yard will remain open.

“I applied to build four homes on the site but my application was turned down,” he said.

“These units should be approved because I think they will tidy up the area. They will certainly look better than what is around them at the moment.”

He added: “I don’t know what the units will be used for – that is up to the people who take them on.

“But they are versatile enough that they could be anything from industrial workshops to storage units.”

Mr McGee is a well-known entrepreneur in West Cumbria.

He most recently ran Henry’s Bar and Grill in Workington and is now opening up his new restaurant in what was the Bounty, which will include an indoor play area and facilities for hire.