PLANS to spend more than £1m refurbishing one of Beverley's most popular pubs are expected to be submitted to East Riding Council.
Wetherspoon is to apply for planning permission to the authority in order to completely refurbish the pub.
Pub chain JD Wetherspoon confirmed it had leased The Cross Keys in Lairgate in December after months of speculation.
The news has been welcomed by East Riding Councillor Kerri Harold, who represents the Minster and Woodmansey area.
Councillor Harold said: "Everyone has been waiting for news on what is happening at the Cross Keys site.
"It is fantastic that the building is going to be maintained as a pub and I really welcome this refurbishment of what already is a great building."
The pub is expected to be completely redeveloped and have new opening hours.
If plans are approved, the work is expected to take three or four months to complete.
The company would not comment further about a date for reopening the pub or how many new jobs could be created.
Cllr Harold said: "When the Cross Keys closed back in November, it left a big hole in Beverley's nightlife, so the sooner the new pub opens, the better.
"The Cross Keys played such a big part in Beverley's social scene, so to have it back up and running would be fantastic.
"It is a total bonus for the town."
JD Wetherspoon submitted a planning application in 2010 to convert the disused Agriculture House in New Walkergate, Beverley, into one of their pubs.
However, plans were rejected by East Riding Council, which stated the development would be detrimental and out of character.
The pub would have eventually employed between 40 and 45 people.
Wetherspoon pubs are known for opening at 7am for breakfast, serving alcohol from 9am, and selling cheap beer.
The Wetherspoon spokesman said: "There are a number of reasons for opening in Beverley. We already have a number of pubs in the region, but not in Beverley.
"Beverley is a good market town with a good population. It was already a busy pub, which we hope will be at the heart of the town in the future."
