Nottinghamshire council is building its own pub to bring punters into the area

An empty social club could be knocked down and replaced with a new 'destination pub' as part of a masterplan to regenerate a Nottinghamshire town. Plans have been submitted to demolish the former Wyvern Club on Urban Road in Kirkby in Ashfield, which was closed by Ashfield District Council in January ahead of the proposed redevelopment of the land.

The council wants to replace the club, which had been open since the 1960s and become an eyesore in the years before its closure, with a new pub and function room to provide outdoor space for visitors and encourage investment into the town. The project is one of 16 being funded by the Government's Towns Fund, with Ashfield having been allocated £62.6 million by the previous Conservative administration.

The building is expected to be torn down by October this year, according to planning documents. Construction firm Tomlinson said the demolition process would meet all relevant health and safety regulations and cause as little disruption or environmental impact as possible.

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Once the structure is reduced to rubble the land will be left in a "safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing condition", the company added. The restored site will be maintained regularly to ensure the health and growth of vegetation, documents explained, with invasive weeds or overgrowth cut back until the space is developed.

In a planning application, Tomlinson, on behalf of Ashfield District Council, said: "The proposed restoration plan aims to ensure the site is left in a safe, and visually appealing state following the demolition up to the point where the main construction phase commences.

"This approach not only meets the necessary environmental and safety standards but also contributes positively to the local community by leaving the site in a well-maintained condition,ready for future use or development." The planning application is pending consideration by Ashfield District Council.

Previously Councillor Matthew Relf, who is in charge of regeneration at the council, said: "This project is a unique opportunity for the council to kickstart the regeneration of Kirkby. The location of this project will allow us to create a destination building that provides a gateway entrance to Kirkby town centre for people entering from the west."