Popular city pub boarded up, but jazz club could be on the cards

OWNERS BEHIND HISTORIC VENUE SAYS BUSINESSES HAVE NOW CEASED TRADING IN CITY

- By OSCAR FISHER

ONE of Derby city centre's most historic and recognisable buildings has been boarded up and closed - but plans reveal a new jazz bar could be on the horizon.

Derby shoppers may have noticed that the 18th-century Friary Hotel, which had most recently housed Popworld nightclub and The Friary, has been fenced off in recent days, with all ground-floor windows boarded up with metal sheets.

Stonegate Group, which ran both Popworld and The Friary, has since confirmed that both businesses have ceased trading as part of the company's "regular assessment of its estate and operating portfolio".

"We'd like to thank our guests for their support over the years, as well as our teams for their hard work and commitment," a spokesperson added.

Now, planning consultants Wakebridge Estates have confirmed that a "long-established Derby operator" has submitted plans to open a new jazz bar at the premises, which they say will be a "vibrant addition to Derby's nightlife offering".

A company called Hospitality & Events LTD has applied for a premises licence for the site, with the aim of playing live and recorded music between 10am and 11.30pm, Monday to Thursday; between 10am and 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays; and from 10am to 11pm on Sundays. The company has also applied for an alcohol licence.