WARRINGTON Borough Council has granted planning permission for a listed pub in the town centre to be converted into apartments.

An application had sought the council’s consent for the upper floors of the Prince of Wales, on Winwick Street, to be turned into seven one-bedroom flats.

And the ground floor of the premises, which has been vacant for more than five years, is set to become a retail unit after WBC gave the green light for the scheme on Wednesday, March 10.

Previously known as the Theatre Tavern, the grade two-listed building had been up for sale last year with a price tag of £250,000.

Submission documents stated: “The significance of the listed building has been considered at all times whilst producing these proposals, ensuring that the vision for the building’s future can be achieved in the most sympathetic of ways.

“Original features, few as they are, are to be retained throughout – ensuring the character of the building is brought back to life, whilst enhancing the building in terms of finish and bringing it up to current standards and regulations.

“The vision is to achieve a building that allows people to experience and enjoy the building in comfort and has longevity in terms of design sustainability and usability.

“Investment in the building would allow this to be achieved whilst giving the building a new lease of life and bringing people back into the town centre.”