Last updated 10:00, Tuesday, 26 August 2008

BOSSES of a Barrow pub are planning hotel accommodation.

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION: Jefferson’s in Duke Street, Barrow

Eight bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms are being lined up for the first and second floors of Jefferson’s in Duke Street.

News of the proposed conversion emerged in a planning application to Barrow Borough Council from Birbeck Pub Company Ltd.

A design and access statement – a report supporting the Lancashire firm’s application – explains the thinking behind the plans for the town centre premises.

“A review of the market indicates that this site would be best utilised for hotel-related operations rather than individual flats,” it says.

“Locally, tourism is becoming important for the local economy.

“Added to this is the continued success of shipbuilding, as well as the major plans for the dock site.

“Currently, major changes are taking place to the townscape following the Project Furness scheme.

“As a result, the owners of this facility have reviewed future needs for Jefferson’s and it is felt that the currently unoccupied upper floors would be best utilised as an extension of the current facility with the individual serviced and managed rooms.

“It is now proposed to introduce eight self-contained bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms as part of the existing facilities, providing bed and breakfast on a daily letting basis as well as a manager’s residence.”

The town hall planning official believed to be dealing with the application was unavailable for comment.

But the council looks likely to decide within the coming weeks whether to allow the project to go ahead.

This is not the first time Birbeck has sought planning permission to build hotel accommodation above a Furness pub.

In February, the council gave the company the green light to convert the first floor function room of Chandlers, in Ramsden Dock Road, Barrow Island, into nine en-suite bedrooms with manager’s quarters.