A BAR in Rhyl which is based at a Grade II listed building has been given planning permission to restore its frontage to its “original appearance”.

Ellis’ Bar, at 42-44 Water Street, applied to Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee to make alterations to its entrance and associated works.

Planning permission was granted on Tuesday (November 26).

Extracts from a planning statement, submitted as part of its application, read: “The original design of the frontage had bay windows either side of a central doorway.

“The proposed alterations to the existing frontage, constructed in approximately 1920, will recreate the original appearance, and includes for a moulded, decorative name board over the fascia, as shown on early photographs of the building.

“An important reason for carrying out this work is to repurpose the premises to ensure that the business is viable and that the building remains in use.”

Currently, Ellis’ Bar is open at weekends, from about 6pm onwards.

But its owner, Leigh Wright, said in the application that Rhyl’s night-time economy has “diminished considerably”, and that it is “no longer economical to run in this fashion”.

The new frontage, he said, would help the bar revert to its former use as a pub – “something that is not possible as it is presently configured”.

Its new entrance would be ramped to make it accessible for wheelchair users, meanwhile.

In September, Ellis’ Bar received permission from the council to build at a beer garden at its premises.

This was despite seven written objections being made regarding the plans, primarily concerning the potential for noise disturbances, antisocial behaviour, and public nuisance.