WETHERSPOON is hoping to expand its Royal Oak pub in High West Street, Dorchester with a single storey rear extension and by converting a machinery room into extra customer seating.

The planning application to Dorset Council is part of the expansion plans for the pub, which already has permission to create nine hotel rooms on the first, second and third floors, although work on this has yet to start.

The application for the extension and conversion shows a new layout for the garden area along with the installation of a customer lift. Existing louvre doors in the plant room, which runs to the rear of the main pub building, will be replaced with new large windows and doors.

The pub, a grade 2 listed building, was opened by Wetherspoon in June 2001 after being bought from former Dorchester brewers, Eldridge Pope.

Comments on the application can be made to the council by April 21. The application is expected to be decided by a planning officer under delegated powers.

If the timing works out the company may be able to carry out the works during the current closure caused by coronavirus restrictions.

Work is also planned at the William Henry Wetherspoon pub in Weymouth, including a refurbished interior and new windows, while the town’s other Wetherspoon pub, the Swan, was refurbished last year.