MINEHEAD'S much-loved seafront venue The Queens Hall looks set for a new lease of life.

When the news broke that the building had been sold by Carter Jonas earlier this year, representatives from the firm reported that the venue was expected to become a new indoor retail market - however it appears those plans have changed.

Plans have been submitted this week by the hall's new owners to use the ground floor as a pub/cafe with a retail shop for takeaway food sales and have the basement as a gin bar.

Should the plans be approved, it is anticipated the new venture could create four full time time jobs and 15 part time opportunities.

Part of the new proposals include removing the central staircase toward the main entrance to the hall.

Designed by WJ Tamlyn, The Queens Hall was built in 1914 as a seafront venue for live theatre performances and film screenings.

The theatre closed in 1939 following the outbreak of the Second World War and has had many different uses in the years since including an amusement arcade and betting shop, a sports bar and more recently as a pub and nightclub.

The applicants are proposing opening hours between 7am and 11pm.

When the building was being marketed in 2019 and early 2020, it received more than 70 viewings from interested parties.

Scott Cinemas had show interest in the building before opting for the town centre former Lifestyle Warehouse premises.

Other applicants had shown interest in converting the building into an amusement arcade, a soft play area and indoor retail market.

To view the full application visit the planning section of the Somerset West and Taunton Council website, and search for application number 3/21/20/036.