An historic pub could be set for a new lease of life - as a vets.

The plans submitted to Copeland Borough Council outline a vision for the former Distressed Sailor Inn in Hensingham to be turned into a ‘functional small veterinary practice’.

The vision includes alterations to the site which include changes to ‘the inside of the building to include a reception and waiting area’ and includes plans for the installation of ‘three-plus consultation rooms, an x-ray room, theatre, kennels and a cattery’.

Most recently, the building housed seafood restaurant Binnacle at the Distressed Sailor Inn which opened at beginning of 2016, after it had been closed for 18 months.

However, this establishment closed in June 2018 with the ownership having already placed the venue on the market 12 months previously.

The building itself had previously been under threat of demolition.

Previous plans submitted in 2016 outlined a vision fora small estate of six three-bed houses and one with four bedrooms, which would have seen the pub flattened.

With the pub and hospitality industries struggling to find a way of moving forward in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, it is possible that many venues will face a similar fate to that of the former Distressed Sailor Inn.

Stephen Walker, vice-chairman of the West Cumbria branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) previously said it was not a surprise that more pubs are closing across the country as people are not using them like they used to.

“People are going to the supermarket and buying cheap drink instead,” he said.

He added at the time: “But people should support their local pubs more.”

The application is under consideration.

Readers can view the application on the Copeland Borough Council website through their Planning Applications portal, quoting planning reference 4/21/2069/0F1.