Local residents have backed plans to turn a troubled Kenilworth pub into offices.

Closed since last summer, attempts to find a new tenant for the Cottage Inn have been unsuccessful with the Stoneleigh Road boozer having had 12 different leaseholders since 2009.

And as the chances of it reopening as a pub looking less likely, Impenza Limited has applied for planning permission to convert it into five offices.

The application has received a number of notices of support from locals.

David Jones wrote: "Despite numerous tenants and strong local goodwill, it has not been able to regain its former success.

"Today, the building is visibly neglected and no longer serves the community in any meaningful way.

"In its current state, it detracts from the character of the area and risks becoming a long-term blight. Realistically, the remaining options are to redevelop or repurpose the site-either through residential or commercial conversion."

Meanwhile Dan Ahmed said: "The Cottage could never work commercially as a pub again and I take my hat off to the new owners who are trying to do the right thing with this building.

"It is in a sad state of repair and requires major investment, and I am sure the more profitable option would have been residential development, which they have opted for. I say good luck to them."

Impenza said the offices would be leased and would be open from 8am to 6pm - creating less noise for the neighbouring homes.

The company also pointed to The Albion Tavern and the Earl Clarendon which have both closed in Kenilworth and been demolished to make way for new homes.

"Our client would like to invest in renovating and modernising The Cottage for employment use as offices, a proportion of which will be used as their own offices, and the remaining proportion will be offices available for lease," the application said.

It added: "The Cottage Inn hasn't provided any meaningful employment or benefit to the local economy over the past five years."

See the full plans here.