A former Whitehaven town centre pub will be demolished to make way for the town’s future regeneration.
Plans to demolish the John Paul Jones pub in Whitehaven town centre have now been approved by Cumberland Council.
Social impact property developers BEC applied for permission to knock down the Strand Street venue.
The pub, named after the famed naval commander who launched a surprise attack on the town in 1778, has been empty since June 2018.
The demolition marks a new chapter for the area, said BEC, which added it would paving the way for regeneration and further development.
BEC’s chief executive Michael Pemberton said: “At BEC, our focus is on creating positive social impact by breathing new life into West Cumbria.
“While we strive to preserve heritage wherever possible, we also recognise that buildings left to fall into disrepair – like the John Paul Jones pub – can become both a blight on the community and a safety concern.
“This demolition marks an important step in unlocking the site’s potential and ensuring Whitehaven continues to thrive through considered and sustainable regeneration.”
The start date for demolition will be announced shortly, with work expected to be complete by the end of this month.
