US fast-food giant Taco Bell could replace GAME, the computer game retailer, in one of its city centre stores.
GAME announced last week that , and has already served notice on two dozen sites including ones in Mansfield, Canterbury, Watford, Glasgow Fort and Leicester.
The business said it was facing a challenging retail market and had to restructure.
It has two shops in Leicester, one in Highcross shopping centre and one in Gallowtree Gate.
Representatives of Taco Bell have submitted plans to Leicester City Council to change the use of the Gallowtree Gate premises from a shop to a restaurant creating 35 jobs, including 15 full time posts.
The site is in the heart of the city centre, close to branches of McDonald’s and Burger King and opposite the Clock Tower.
There are already more than 40 Taco Bell restaurants in the UK, with the nearest ones to Leicester in Nottingham and Northampton.
A spokeswoman for Pegasus Group, which is acting on behalf of Taco Bell, for planning permission, said: “The proposal will result in the loss of a retail unit.
“However, with changes to shopping patterns it is inevitable that there will be some decrease in the number of units within the main shopping area.
“The proposal will allow the existing unit to be converted into another suitable town centre use which will only add to vitality and viability.”
She said the planned restaurant would be able to seat 57 customers and would be open between the hours of 10am and 5am, seven days a week.
Planning officers at the city council are considering the application.
Announcing the national round of closures a Game spokesman said: “We are working closely with landlords throughout the UK to ensure that we do not have to vacate the 40 locations which could lead to a number of job losses.
“However, we are facing a challenging retail market and GAME with its extensive retail footprint, needs to restructure and landlords need to work with us in setting realistic, fair rents.”
