PLANS have been put forward for expanded bar and dining services into vacant office space in Penrith. 

If approved, the premises on King Street, recently vacated by the Cumberland Westmorland Herald, will provide additional facilities to the adjacent Lounge Hotel and Bar, a Grade II listed building, owned by RHM (Cumbria) Ltd.

The proposed office transformation will come in the form of a supplementary bar and dining spaces, it will also include additional kitchen, storage, and toilet facilities.

Plans were put forward by RHM (Cumbria) Ltd to Westmorland & Furness' Planning Authority on February 12. 

The alterations will extend the Lounge's services across the shared party wall, engaging the former office space on both ground and first floors.

The design and access statement reads: "The existing parking area will be retained for staff and guests.

"There will be no changes to the street frontage of the Listed Lounge Hotel and Bar Mitre House building.

"The adjoining relatively modern two-storey building and part of the three-storey bay windowed former Herald offices are the subject of a change of use planning Application.

"No changes to the street frontage elevations are envisaged at this time but an application for new signage will be forthcoming later," it reads. 

The business currently employs 15 full-time staff and 10 part-time, figures which are expected to rise to 20 if given the go-ahead. 

The public consultation closes on March, 23.