A Herefordshire venue that struggled to recover from the pandemic is to be converted into five flats.

The Royal Hall, to the rear of the Royal Oak Hotel in the Southend, Ledbury, currently houses the VIP Bar, with a flat to the rear.

Its owner, a Miss Heaney, is seeking permission to turn the whole property into a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom flats for market sale.

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This would require “minimal external modifications”, her application says. But inside, new floors linked by new stairs and a lift would be introduced into the high-ceilinged hall.

“The current commercial use isn’t able to run as it did previously, before the pandemic struck,” the application explains.

“The applicant has exhausted all options in the aim of re-booting the business back up to its former state, which is why the change of use application is being proposed,” it adds.

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The venue has hosted several live music, DJ and comedy nights since reopening after lockdown, as well as private functions.

Built in 1900, the former Masonic hall was also previously used as a cinema, theatre and boxing venue before being acquired by its current owners in 2012.

The hall itself is not heritage listed but the adjoining hotel is, meaning listed building consent for the plan is also required.

Comments on the applications for planning permission, numbered 233266, and for listed building consent, numbered 233267, can be made until December 14.