MARRIOTTS Walk Shopping Centre in Witney could be expanded to accommodate a pizza restaurant.

Plans have been submitted to almost double the size of the unused Starbucks unit, extending it into the square.

If the Pizza Express scheme is approved, the square’s statue, The Buttercross Needle, would be moved, prompting concern the plan would spoil the design of the centre.

The application has been submitted by architecture and design firm Tectus, which has been appointed by Marriotts Walk owner the Kandahar Group. The centre opened just two years ago at a cost of £50m.

Tectus said in its application that the increase in size was “the absolute minimum necessary to make the premises viable for use by Pizza Express”.

The unit would be increased from 1,580 sq ft to 2,850 sq ft.

The firm said the square was “amorphous and expansive and lacked either a defining formality or a welcoming sense of enclosure”.

It said its plans would result in “a more defined, enclosed and welcoming public space that could become an attractive focus for interaction and leisure.”

The unit would be fronted with a mixture of columns and glass, which Tectus described as a “colonnade”.

West Oxfordshire District Council will decide on the plans.

Witney Chamber of Commerce chairman Lesley Semaine said: “Overall, I think it is good to have something different in the town and I am sure it will appeal to the young and to families.

“There are not a huge amount of facilities for families at the moment. But I think there could be case that this may ruin what is a very well planned area.

“It would be a shame to spoil the shopping centre.”

Witney mayor Harry Eaglestone said: “The building has been empty for some time, so this is great for Marriotts Walk.

“I hope Pizza Express will bring more people into Witney.”

The unit has stood empty since Marriotts Walk opened, with Starbucks owning the lease but deciding not to open. Meanwhile, Caffe Nero, which has begun fitting out unit one, opposite Whittard of Chelsea, is set to open on November 12.

Marriotts Walk manager Lynne Shawyer said only one unit remained unlet, adding: “There have been people looking around but there is no news on it yet.”