A ONCE loved pub in the centre of Southampton will become flats despite fears “some of the rooms toilets open directly onto food preparation areas”.

The Ferryman and Firkin, in High Street, announced last orders in 2009 with its owners citing the recession as the main reason for its closure.

Developers Park Lane Commercial Property Limited have now been granted permission to renovate the building, by converting its first and second floors to form eight residential flats - which would be made up of seven one bedroom studio apartments and one one bedroom space - as well as alterations to fenestration of the building’s rear and associated works including a new external staircase.

The Grade II listed building, which dates to 1866, used to house the Woolwich Building Society and was opened as a Firkin chain pub in 1996.

It is sandwiched between the famous Dolphin Hotel and the ruins of Holyrood Church.

Despite it no longer being used, organisations have criticised some aspects of the proposals.

Marian Hubble, from the City of Southampton Society, said: “This is a building that needs attention; it is an eye-sore adjacent to the historic site Holy Rood Church.

“We welcome the fact that an effort is being made to bring it into residential use.

“However, on close examination of the plans certain features are not acceptable.

“In flats 1,4 and 7 the toilets open directly onto the food preparation areas.

“This is aesthetically unpleasing and undesirable.”

The plans were approved by Southampton City Council on January 2, following its initial submission in April 2017.

Landlady, Debbie Foot, who had run the pub for more than two years before its closure, said she was “devastated” the bar had to close.

Ironically although the building is over 150 years old it was only used as a pub for around 13 years. Other large pubs at that end of the High Street also succumbed including the Australian-themed Walkabout.

The former Bank of England building, the large bar was popular for watching sport and weekend DJs. Was rebranded as Wahoo! in 2009 before becoming Elements Sports Bar.