A NATIONAL pub chain is looking to move into a listed building in Bishop Auckland town centre within a year.

JD Wetherspoon has applied for planning permission to convert offices in the Market Place into a bar and restaurant.

The Watford-based company, which runs more than 600 pubs in the country, has been waiting for a suitable property in the town to redevelop as a pub for about 18 months.

It has already agreed in principle to buy the stone building from solicitors' firm Hewitts which is about to move into new offices.

Plans have been submitted to Wear Valley District Council for permission to change the use of the building and a decision is expected in two months.

If successful, the company will apply for a licence to sell alcohol and look to convert the building and open for business in six to eight months.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We have been waiting for the right site to come along rather than rushing into an unsuitable property.

"Wetherspoons has moved into more listed buildings than any other pub chain, so are fully prepared to work within the restrictions to preserve it."

If approved, the pub would serve food all-day and have non-smoking areas, but no music or entertainment.

Hewitts decided to relocate to new offices on the site of the former Wear Valley Hotel, in Newgate Street, after a merger with Wager Turner earlier this year made it the biggest solicitors firm in the town.

The hotel had stood empty after it was gutted by fire in 1994 until the new development was built as part of the Asda supermarket's relocation scheme.

In February, The Northern Echo and Wear Valley Advertiser teamed up with traders to launch a Shopping for a Future campaign to tackle the problems faced by the town and promote it.

Councillor Stephen Gregory said: "I certainly welcome the prospect of any new developments in the town, hopefully it would attract people to the town centre and keep them here."