A Chester city centre Grade I-listed building could soon be home to a bar.

A licensing application has been lodged with Cheshire West and Chester Council for St Ursula's building on Watergate Street, nestled between the Panna Coffee shop and Fiesta Havana tapas and cocktail bar.

The building has been vacant since it was used as a store room for the adjacent Toycraft store before its closure. More recently, the buildings front windows have boards advertising community projects in Chester, such as Theatre in the Quarter and the Chester High street Heritage Action Zone with Create Chester.

The licensing application by Thorn Restaurant Ltd proposes a street-level bar with the potential to apply to tables and chairs on the street in the future.

The application is seeking permission for live music, recorded music, to open up until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as supply alcohol and potentially show films.

The quality of the undercroft at St Ursula's has meant the building has been listed, since 1955, as a designated Grade I building. 

Historic England says the building dates back to between the years of about 1180 and 1280.

The news comes as neighbouring premise Fiesta Havana is planning a revamp and rebrand to Be At One, which would see the bar redesigned and redecorated, plus include a 'selfie wall'.