A Kenilworth town centre pub has been given the go-ahead to turn its car park into a beer garden and for a series of renovations inside.

The Bear & Ragged Staff revealed in February it wanted to get rid of its nine parking spaces to make way for a new wooden pergola and more outside seating.

In its planning application, brewery and landlord Greene King also asked for permission to renovate the toilets and bar area.

"The refurbishment of the interior will be a replacement for newer more modern furnishings that have already taken place as part of regular intervals of redecoration," the application to Warwick District Council said. 

"The original fireplace intends to be reinstated as a working fireplace and existing historic ceiling joists will remain in place and not be removed or adversely affected."

An artist's impression of the new-look beer garden (image via planning application)

The proposed new look for the Bear & Ragged Staff (image via planning application)

And now the plans have been given approval by Warwick District Council.

"The rear car park is be converted into a pub garden to provide additional outdoor seating for customers," a council report said.

"The existing rear pub garden is highly exposed and visible from within the street scene, in particular to the side and rear within the supermarket car park.

"The proposed pub garden is to be carried out sensitively and is considered appropriate given the main use of the site is a public house and restaurant."

It added: "The proposed rear pub garden will not have a negative impact on neighbouring uses given that it would back onto an existing car park serving a supermarket.

"There are no nearby windows serving residential properties that would be impacted by the development."

Pub owner Greene King said expanding the outside area would help with the long term success of the business.

The application added: "Providing outdoor seating adds to the number of covers pubs and restaurants can provide for, helping with revenue and the future viability of the business. 

"As a historic pub the revenue is important to keep the pub going, which may in turn help with its upkeep. 

"When customers are sitting outside this attracts further customers and lets them know the business is in operation."

See the full application here.

The Bear & Ragged Staff's current look (image by James Smith)