Kirkby-in-Ashfield: First look photo of new pub plan revealed by council

Artist impressions of how a new pub and function space in Kirkby-in-Ashfield could look have been revealed.

Ashfield District Council plans to build the pub on an area of land next to the car park at Kirkby Railway Station, which is currently home to The Wyvern Club.

It is one of the authority’s 16 projects funded by a £62.6m Towns Fund grant.

Cllr Matthew Relf, the council’s member for growth, regeneration, and local planning, said: “This project is a unique opportunity for the council to kickstart the regeneration of Kirkby.

“The location of this project will allow us to create a destination building that provides a gateway entrance to Kirkby town centre for people entering from the west.”

The authority claims the pub plan will introduce modern facilities, opportunities for business and “encourage more external investment into the town”, as well as providing “much-needed” outdoor seating areas.

Other Towns Fund projects include a new water sports and restaurant hub at Kings Mill Reservoir, a planetarium and science discovery centre at Sherwood Observatory and the redesign of Portland Square.

The Wyvern Club, which describes itself as a “family-friendly” space and supports the plan, is in conversation with the council about the group’s future at the site, or at a new venue.

An open tender process for a tenant to run the pub will launch later this year.

Cllr Relf added: “Our Towns Fund projects all centre around the council creating a new identity for Ashfield, creating new opportunities for the residents and allowing our town centres to prosper.”