THE world-famous Hard Rock Cafe wants to open in Glasgow's most upmarket street.

The company behind the internationally successful chain has applied to the city council for permission to use the A-listed former Athenaeum Theatre as a licensed restaurant.

It sits next to the Forever 21 clothing store, which is part of the newly opened shopping complex at the top of Buchanan Street.

Hard Rock Cafe (UK) Ltd also wants to carry out internal and external alterations to the former theatre and to install display signs.

Famed for its high-profile celebrity fans and music events, there are 175 cafes in 53 countries but so far Edinburgh is the only city in Scotland that has a Hard Rock Cafe.

The first cafe opened in London in the 1970s and Eric Clapton was one of its first high-profile visitors.

He donated his red Fender guitar and asked for it to be hung on the wall above his favourite seat.

Pete Townshend, of The Who, followed his lead and the Hard Rock Cafe has since gone on to amass one of the largest collections of rock and roll memorabilia in the world.

It includes autographed guitars, costumes from world tours and rare photographs.

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Glasgow enjoys a reputation as one of the best and most eclectic dining cities in Europe, delivering an exceptional culinary standard and wealth of choice.

"It is fantastic news that the Hard Rock Cafe has applied to open a restaurant in the heart of Glasgow, offering even further choice for Glaswegians and visitors.

"The city is home to a legendary music scene and some of the best venues in the UK, from King Tut's to the O2 Academy, to the soon-to-open Hydro Arena.

"The iconic rock restaurant will fit in perfectly."

The Athenaeum Theatre was opened in 1893 to "provide a source of mental cultivation, moral improvement and delightful recreation to all classes".

Its school of music developed into the Scottish National Academy Of Music in 1929, later becoming the Royal Scottish Academy Of Music & Drama.

During the 1940s the theatre provided the initial home for the Citizens Theatre. The Scottish Youth Theatre used the Athenaeum from 1989 until 1998, when the building was sold.

It was sold again in 2005, to a property developer, and has been subject of several planning applications for conversion to retail use.

It is largely disused, but has had partial temporary use as shops.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk