A Michelin-star quality restaurant could be the heart of an ambitious redevelopment in the city centre.
Civic leaders have revealed detailed plans of how they want to transform Grand Parade and Undercroft, extending the Guildhall Market and turning the colonnades into a high-end eating quarter.
Bath and North East Somerset Council has outlined proposals for four phases of development, which could also include new homes at Newmarket Row and changes to Pulteney Bridge, the Boat Dock and Radial Gate, as long as it can find external funding.
The plans will also open up access routes along Boatstall Lane, Parade Gardens and Slippery Lane, and see the authority's councillors giving up their own car park.
The authority launched an initial consultation process last autumn and has now cemented its proposals for the project.
Its cabinet member for community resources Councillor David Bellotti (Lib Dem, Lyncombe) said: "There are lots of phases to what we are trying to do. The two phases that are going to be incredibly active now are phases one and two. Phase one is the colonnades underneath by the weir. We have had a lot interest from restaurants.
"The second phase is the market. I think everyone realises the market we have at the moment is very good but it hasn't got enough customers and hasn't changed for some time. This will be a complete refurbishment and will extend it across the car park.
"Councillors will give up their car park, so we can improve the market and extend it."
According to the council, more than 15 restaurants have expressed an interest in the scheme including Michelin-starred venues, independent restaurants and chains.
The council is proposing to borrow £5.29 million to pay for the first two phases, but has said it will only commit to building work if a pre-let agreement is made with a restaurant name.
The authority is also estimating the new restaurants could generate a rental income of more than £300,000 a year to cover the loan's repayments.
Mr Bellotti added: "The big win really is we can make this financially sustainable. All of this has been looked at for a number of years but it's only recently we've been able to make it sustainable. These things are all about vision. This is about commercial opportunity and restoring part of Bath's history."
A planning application for the work is expected to be submitted by the autumn with work due to start next spring. It is hoped the new market space and restaurants will be open by the end of next year.
Cabinet members will discuss the proposals in full at a meeting being held at the Guildhall next Wednesday at 6.30pm.
