Lime Street’s Grade II*-listed pub The Vines is planning to create new hostel accommodation for visitors in its unused space.

The landmark establishment, which already offers hotel rooms, could create additional rooms to accommodate 46 beds.

An application has been submitted to Liverpool City Council to make alterations to the heritage building and bring currently vacant space on its first and second floors as well as the whole of its third floor into use.

The Edwardian baroque-style building, which first opened in 1867 and was rebuilt in 1907 by architect Walter Thomas, sits at the heart of Liverpool’s Lime Street gateway and neighbours the site of a mixed-used development set to transform the area.

A document by chartered surveyor Phil Seddon Associates which has been working on the plans says: “Located in the heart of the city centre, it is envisaged that visitors will visit and use the hotel and hostel because it provides ease of access to the public transport links and wider transport infrastructure of the region, as well as the amenities and facilities of the city centre itself and surrounding facilities.

“A combination of the location and underuse of the current building at present has underpinned the design concept of the proposed work, which aims to bring into full use an otherwise underused building.

“People using the pub will remain separate from the visitors to the hotel and hostel by continuing to use different entrances to the building.  The pub rooms will be used in the early morning as a dining room for serving breakfast to the overnight guests.

“It is believed that the historical and architectural importance of the building will in itself provide a draw to visitors wanting to visit the accommodation, and will allow greater public access to a listed building in a city centre location.”

Among proposed changes to the building is the installation of a new lift from the ground to each of the floors, with the top area of the lift shaft set to “project slightly above the roof”; new rooflights letting daylight into the hostel rooms; and the construction of new partitions to create the additional rooms and en suite facilities.

The planning application adds: “We believe that this underused property is more than able to accommodate these minor alterations whilst maintaining the original character and use of the building.”

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