A VACANT Maldon shop which forms part of a historic pub complex is set to be transformed into a bar area.

The shop, part of the Blue Boar Hotel, on Silver Street, has been closed for some time.

But owner Katie Wilsden-Craddock now wants to utilise the space by turning it into a bar extension.

She has applied to Maldon District Council for a change of use of the site which would then be furnished with new chairs and tables.

The hotel complex is a Grade II* listed building in the heart of the Maldon Conservation Area.

The planning statement said: “The corner shop to the Blue Boar Hotel complex has been closed for some time now, and has been used as a tea room in the interim period, but now is vacant.

“There is an existing internal access from the existing bar area into the shop, up some steps to an upper floor level, as externally Silver Street ramps up at that point.

“Within the existing shop behind the existing studwork / brick walling is access to the basement and upper floor levels, which are currently not used and will be closed off and just used for access as and when required.

“The proposals will be to retain the existing shop basically how it exist and just clean / decorate the area to bring it back into beneficial use with the adjoining bar area, including new furniture and tables.”

Maldon District Council will have the final say on the plans by the end of November.