WETHERSPOON bosses plan to extend the Hippodrome garden with a £250,000 project after buying the former Middle Level building next door.
The pub chain has asked Fenland planners for permission to demolish the old 1960s offices at the back of the site to create a “secret garden” design of courtyards, canopies, trellises and fixed seating areas.
The new garden will include a ramp so that disabled customers can enjoy full use of the outdoor area which is not possible at the moment due to size constraints
The large former office building at the front of the site will remain and will be renovated to create office space to rent, each with its own dedicated car parking space.
A Wetherspoon spokesman said the original office building would remain as it is: “A substantial character property which forms part of the street scene.”
He added: “The project is on site at the moment and is due to be ready for the summer.”
In the last week the building has been boarded up while the pub chain awaits approval for the garden scheme from Fenland planners.
The aim is to break out the existing car park and lay a mix of hard landscaping along with planting beds and designer garden areas.
The old offices to the rear will be demolished to first floor level to provide shade and interest in the garden while forming courtyards within the existing boundaries.
From the street there will be new timber gates and a modern steel and glass boundary so that passers by can see into the garden which Wetherspoons hopes will add an attractive feature to Dartford Road.
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