PEOPLE in Workington have reacted with sadness and fond memories after a popular pub in the town looks set to be demolished.

The Travellers Rest, on High Street in Workington, may be set for some big changes after an application was submitted to Allerdale Borough last week - which would see the existing building 'partly demolished' and converted into a home and additional two homes built alongside.

The application is for the 'part demolition, alteration and conversion of public house to create dwelling with detached garage and the creation of two new-build properties'.

After the owners' lease expired in 2020, the pub was put on the market due to 'limited interest' in people wanting to take over the site.

In September 2020, there was hope for the pub to 'return to it's former glory' after Admiral Taverns announced they would spend £130,000 on the refurbishment of the pub if they could find a landlord to take on the lease.

At the time, David Balmanno, business development manager for Admiral Taverns said: “The Travellers Rest is a fantastic opportunity close to the Lake District with a great local and tourist trade.

"We’re looking for a landlord who’s passionate about the pub and the area, and will make the most of this opportunity.”

However, after 'limited interest' in the occupancy, the pub was officially closed and sold earlier this year.

The application for the development has suggested that the conversion of the pub will 'enhance the local area', converting the redundant pub to something that can be used in the future.

In documents supporting the application, David Shankland from CDL Architecture said: "The former public house will be sympathetically converted to provide a substantial family home in a desired location, with two new-build properties to compliment the conversion works in style and design in keeping, with surrounding area.

"This will enhance the local area, from a redundant public house and car park, that has been proven to be unviable."

The application was submitted on June 15 and is now under consultation with Allerdale Borough Council.

After the Times and Star ran an article on the application late last week, many residents have reacted to the news with sadness and shared fond memories of the pub.

Simon Kay said: "A huge gang of us went to the Travellers every single Wednesday night for several years in my late teens. We sometimes even used to walk there and back from Seaton."

Sue Leathers recalled good times in the pub, she said: "Lots of good memories The Travellers was our go to pub end of 60s into 70s."