MORE than £2.6 million could be spent on refurbishing a derelict town centre building if a popular pub chain’s plans are given the green light.

JD Wetherspoon bought the former Co-op site at 60 Kingsway, Dovercourt, last year.

The chain has now applied to Tendring Council to convert the use of the building from retail to a public house and if successful, around 50 new jobs could be created.

The applicant is considering restoring some of the building’s features which have fallen into disrepair, with the site left untouched for more than a decade.

While the ground floor of the building would comprise the pub, the first floor of the building would house nine hotel rooms, changing rooms, toilets and a staff room.

The plan reads: “The applicant will invest a considerable sum in the acquisition, repair, refurbishment, and refitting of the building.

“Re-opening the premises as a JD Wetherspoon would ultimately benefit the local economy, bringing back into economic use a prominent local building.

“The final scheme has the potential to create at least 50 full and part time jobs in the J D Wetherspoon public house.”

All proposed work would be internal, except the construction of a garden and smoking area to the rear of the building.

The application also makes clear there will be no live music, no amplified music, no live events, special promotions or entertainment of any kind on the premises.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We are aiming to spend more than £2.6 million on the refurbishment project, creating 50 plus jobs in the process.

“We are waiting on the outcome of the planning application before we can progress the project further.

“At present there is no on site or opening date, as planning permission has not yet been granted.

“However, we are very keen to open the pub and hotel and believe it will be a great asset to the town and hopefully act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in the area.”