A CARLISLE city centre pub can have its signs replaced after the plans for the listed building were approved by Cumberland Council planners.

The application is for The Griffin, a former bank in Court Square, near to the railway station, and the signs will include one replacement pictorial sign, two sets of individual letters, as well as a "Welcome" vinyl to the doorway and four amenity boards.

The decision to approve planning permission was made on Monday (July 22) and, according to a heritage statement, the pub is in "the heart of the city centre" with many important buildings in the area including the Citadel Station and The Griffin, which used to be The Midland Bank, and The Citadel.

It states: "Carlisle Citadel or The Citadel is a group of buildings on the site of a former early modern fortress on English Street in Carlisle, Cumbria.

"It comprises two towers, both of which are Grade I listed buildings: the Nisi Prius Courthouse and the former crown court."

According to the listing statement the former bank is a Grade II listed building, which dates back to 1865-7, and was originally built for the Cumberland Union Banking Company by Daniel Birkett of Carlisle and Liverpool.

And, according to the Carlisle Journal in 1865, there was a proposal for the new bank, which because of a bricklayers' strike, was not opened until 1867, again as reported in the Carlisle Journal that year.

The report states: "Plans dated 1865 are in Cumbria County Record Office, CA/E4/711. (Carlisle Journal: 1 August 1865; Carlisle Journal: 24 September 1867)."

According to the report the signage needs replacing, due to their age and condition, and it states: "The proposal is to replace the existing signs on a mainly like for like basis."

It states that they will be placed in the same location as the existing ones allowing any existing fixings to be used wherever possible.

It adds: "Before the commencement of works a health and safety assessment will be carried out by the main contractor. Scaffolding would be erected and all safety measures applied.

"Ashleigh signs will supply a method statement to the main contractor for the installation of the signage. Barriers will be installed for the safety of pedestrians and workers on site.

"All exiting signs would be removed and any fixings made good. The proposed signs would be manufactured at works and fitted on site in appliance with the method statement supplied. Any on site sign writing would be carried out by our professional sign writer."

The report concludes that the proposal is considered to cause no adverse harm to the surrounding area which would be preserved. It states: "The proposals are therefore considered to meet the objectives of the NPPF concerning development in an historic context and meet the requirements of relevant local planning policy."