AN Italian restaurant has applied for permission for new signage at a landmark Blandford site.

A listed building planning application has been submitted to Dorset Council for 43 East Street, the former Jack Rabbitts venue.

The plans show how the shopfront will be revamped with signage for the La Vita Bar & Restaurant – which opens today (February 19).

“Painting the wooden window frames a different colour – this is in keeping with the rest of the properties in the town,” the application said.

“The window frames and small amount of render used to be painted blue before they were stripped back to wood by a previous tenant.

“We will use a base coat and colour exterior paint to preserve and protect the window frames.”

Meanwhile, on social media, the restaurant has told customers it opens today (February 19), offering drinks and meals.