Three new shops have been approved at the former Mango Jam Restaurant site located on the main street of Port Douglas.

Douglas Shire Council approved a development application for a Material Change of Use for Shops to turn the old restaurant into three shopfronts.

The premises had been irregularly occupied since the restaurant closed several years ago.

The application includes proposals to redevelop the land with new shops, retaining the car parking in the rear yard, side driveway and vehicle crossover onto Macrossan Street.

Douglas Shire Mayor, Michael Kerr, said while there will be some nostalgia attached to the old restaurant site, it’s time for a new opportunity in that location.

“Mangoes was a great icon of Port Douglas in its day, many years ago but it has sat there as an empty restaurant for many years waiting for someone to show it some love and this business has decided to do that,” Kerr said.

“It’s good to see something new happening in Port Douglas. It’s been an eyesore for a long time,” Councillor Peter McKeown added.

The proposal was approved by all councillors.

Click here to read the application in full.