Planning officers have given a further green light as a major American burger chain looks to replace an old clothes shop in Southampton.

Wendy's lodged plans to replace fixtures and fittings with fryers in the vacant 17 Above Bar Street, asking Southampton City Council to approve its "stripout" of the former John Anthony store.

An inspector has now given the go ahead on an application to gut an "existing retail shop to fit out" a new "quick reserve restaurant", meaning construction work can now start.

As reported by the Echo, Wendy's previously had plans approved to replace the John Anthony white shopfront with a dark grey metal framed entrance way, with red beams and double-glazed automatic doors.

An electronic sign will also be placed in the window of the shopfront between Specsavers and Boots, though this must not be in operation between 11pm and 6am.

Chinese restaurant Shanghai Bay - positioned on the first floor of the same building - will be unaffected by the burger shop's arrival, the plans said.

READ MORE: Major American fast food chain to open first Southampton restaurant

The restaurant chain - which has been serving 'quality burgers' since 1969 - currently only has one eatery in Hampshire, located in Portsmouth.

Wendy's was previously looking for a general manager for the Southampton location though the job listing is no longer active.

The old John Anthony storefront on Above Bar Street.The old John Anthony storefront on Above Bar Street. (Image: Google Maps) Hopeful managers had to have “proven experience leading people in a food service environment”, a minimum of two years of “line operations experience” and flexibility to work “44-hour work weeks”.

READ MORE: Wendy's will open in Southampton as plans approved

No other job listings are currently active for the new restaurant, though the advertised salary for the general manager positioned was between £33,000 and £36,000.

Wendy's is known for serving square burgers that hang over the bun and for its 'Frosty,' which is a frozen dairy dessert similar to a milkshake mixed with whippy ice cream.

The chain returned to the UK in June 2021 by opening a store in Reading, citing that there was "a gap in the category" of fresh-made, affordably priced burgers.

Wendy's also serves breakfast burgers, such as the 704-calorie "Breakfast Baconator" - a sausage and egg muffin with double cheese, double bacon and "signature" cheese sauce.