A former coffee shop in Durham city centre could become a charity shop.
Charity Cats Protection wants to open an outlet in the site of Pret A Manger on Silver Street.
The charity has lodged an application with Durham County Council to hanging signage on the outlet.
The building has been empty since Pret announced it would be closing its doors in March last year.
It came as another blow to Durham's high street following new with Marks and Spencer would be shutting and the previous closure of Krispy Kreme and Greenwoods.
At the time, MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said the closure would "further limit the retail offer in Durham".
Retailer M&Co announced it would be ceasing trading at the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre last month.
But the clothing firm said it was looking for another outlet in the city centre.
Figures revealed that 231 shops closed in the North East last year, with 24 shutting in Durham and only 14 opening.
Today's must-read news, sport and entertainment
Shops that opened included luxury fashion store Psyche, Hotel Indigo and Zapatista Burrito Bar.
Odeon Luxe Durham is also set to open its doors at The Riverwalk on June 5.
