A businessman is hoping to create a wine bar and B&B in Huddersfield town centre next door to his existing real ale pub.
Mark Robertson has submitted plans for redevelopment of the former Armitage Sykes solicitors, who had been in the Macaulay Street building for more than 40 years until December 2015.
The Grade II listed building is just yards away from the town’s bus station and next door to the Plumbers Arms which Mr Robertson extensively renovated before reopening several weeks ago.
A small scale extension is also planned.
His statement presented to Kirklees Council says while the ground floor would become a “drinking establishment”, the first and second floor areas would be turned into bed and breakfast rooms.
It says: “The proposals will create a sensitive alteration to the existing building and its surroundings.
“The materials we are proposing to use, along with the scale and appearance of the proposed extension sits comfortably on the existing building.
“It should be noted that my client prior to submitting this application, had the offices up for rent with an established local agent for six months without any interest.”
A heritage statement adds that the reasons given for this were a lack of associated free parking, the layout of the building and the cost of modernisation.
The report says: “My client aims to use the facilities of the public house to provide meals to the bed and breakfast customers, thus providing an additional income within the competitive pub trade.
“This will not only create additional job opportunities but will also safeguard those already employed.
“We feel that our proposals are the best way forward for the building in order to preserve its long-term future as a viable business.
“The alterations that we are proposing we feel are justifiable within this scheme and do not have a negative impact on the heritage asset of the building and adjacent street scene.
The statement also discloses that the legendary former rugby league player with Fartown was Johnny Henry Rogers was a licensee of the Plumbers Arms for three years up until the time of his death in July 1958.
Kirklees planners are yet to determine the application.
