One of Lichfield's oldest pubs to reopen with its original name - here's a look at all the plans

A Lichfield pub which closed in January but is set to reopen this Summer has applied for planning permission to demolish an existing outbuilding to establish a car park and a beer garden and create a first floor extension.

The Bittersuite on Upper St John Street also wants to convert the upstairs into manager’s accommodation.

The pub, one of the oldest in Lichfield, was constructed circa 1800, however, is not listed or within a conservation area. The plans would see the current rear outbuilding, which has stood empty and was previously used as a yard area demolished.

This would clear the site for a new five-space car park, including one disabled space, and an external beer garden. The application also seeks to extend the first floor, which would create a new enlarged cellar, new toilets to include disabled facilities and enlarge the customer seating areas.

In January this year the pub announced their closure, in a statement released on social media the venue blamed current economic conditions. However in March it was announced that Black Country Ales would reopen the venue serving traditional ale.

No changes are planned to the outside of the historic Georgian structure. It is planned however, that when the Upper St John Street pub reopens, it will return to its original name – The Bridge Tavern, due to it being located adjacent to a grade II railway bridge.

In documents submitted with the application, the developer said the changes are essential for the long-term sustainability of the venue: The documents said: “The future viability of the Bittersuite relies on the applicant’s investment in this site. The proposal seeks to vastly improve the interior layout of the building and bring the first floor back into use by providing accommodation for a family to live in.

“There is an existing small, flat roof extension to the rear which currently occupies some of the toilets. This extension will be replaced with a bigger flat roof extension in order to improve the toilets and provide DDA access to the property from the rear.

“The site is set within a sustainable location that is within close walking distance to Lichfield City Centre and close to public transport connections such as the train and bus stations. The proposal protects and enhances the historic significance of the city and its setting; the pub will be renamed the Bridge Tavern and there are no proposed changes to the frontage of the building which is adjacent to the Grade II listed railway bridge. It does not detract from the character and appearance of the street scene.”

Planning officers at Lichfield District Council are now set to review the plans before making a decision, which is expected before the end of the year.