Ambitious plans to create a rooftop beer garden at a Workington pub have been revealed.

JD Wetherspoon wants to transform the first floor of its Henry Bessemer pub on New Oxford Street into an al fresco space for its customers.  

The company has applied to Allerdale council for planning permission to transform part of the first floor, which used to be a popular nightclub, into a beer garden. 

If it is given the go-ahead, there would be enough room for 70 people. 

According to its plans, Wetherspoon plans to keep the facade of the building, which used to be the Rendevous cinema. 

Its proposals include replacing the windows on the front and the left side of the building, which are currently boarded up, with a balustrade.

The building's dome, which has always been a feature of the former cinema, will be kept.

The dome and some of the roof, the company said, would become a "feature canopy". 

Glazed areas would be created and a new staircase on the right of the pub would be built for people to access the new 1,214sq ft area.

The glazed areas would overlook the customer area on the ground floor.

It is not the first time Wetherspoon has applied to Allerdale council to create outdoor space for the Henry Bessemer.

Last year, it submitted a planning application for a beer garden and smoking area on the ground floor. It wanted to create the space to the right of the building. 

But the plans were withdrawn soon afterwards.

The building used to be owned by Graves (Cumberland) Ltd, and housed the Rendezvous, Trader Bill's on the first floor and the Bull and Bush pub in the basement. 

Graves, which opened the Plaza Cinemas multiplex at Dunmail Park, sold the building to JD Wetherspoon. 

The Henry Bessemer opened in 2001, following a £1.5 million revamp by the national pub chain. 

People can comment on the new beer garden plans until May 13.

Cumbria County Council's highways department has already asked for the plans to be amended, as a door would open onto the pavement, which it said would be dangerous. 

A neighbour has already objected. Their letter to Allerdale council said: "This planning of the beer garden is obstructing our way into getting in to our homes.

"We are already having to deal with the broken glass bottles and pint glasses in this location without the addition of a beer garden. We strongly object."

It is understood Allerdale council will make a decision about the application in the next few weeks.