The first steps have been taken towards restoring the fire-hit former Angel Hotel in Northampton town centre.
An application has been submitted to the Guildhall for listed building consent to work on the site in Bridge Street, which was most recently open as Fat Cats Cafe Bar.
The Grade II listed premises has been shut since January 2, 2012 when a fire, later found to have been started accidentally by roofers, ripped through the building.
Listed building consent is the first stage of approval needed to start work on restoring the building. The application has been validated by Northampton Borough Council and would allow work to begin as soon as a planning application has been approved.
Council leader Councillor David Mackintosh (Con, Rectory Farm) said: “Since the fire I have been speaking with the building’s owners and other Bridge Street businesses about what the borough council could do to support everyone affected by the disruption the fire has caused.
“We all want to see this wonderful building come back into use. It is in a prime location in our town centre, and over the years has always been a popular venue. So it is a good news to see the first formal stages in getting all of the permissions needed to start work and bring the building back to life.”
The application has been submitted by Tony O’Brien, on behalf of Tw Consulting Engineers Ltd.
The wording of the application is: “Restoration and reconstruction of building following fire damage, including enhanced thermal insulation, removal of internal staircase and provision of new repositioned staircase, removal of damaged internal walls, new internal lift and new door.”
Details of the application can be found on the borough council’s website.