PART of a prominent Grade II-listed high street building could be turned into a wine bar.

Plans were revealed to transform the former storage unit behind 110 Market Street, Westhoughton into a bar this week.

The application submitted to Bolton Council by James Industrial proposes to change the use of the unit to a wine bar as well as make internal and external alterations to the building.

The yard area to the rear would be used as a seating area.

A statement submitted with the application said: "The proposed scheme for the outbuilding seeks approval for full planning and listed building consent for the change of use from storage use to Class A4 use for wine bar over the two floors.

"The scheme uses the existing modern flat roof extensions both to the outbuilding and the existing offices of 110 to provide toilets and store areas for the proposed wine bar.

"The modern lean-to structure to the front of the building will be removed to expose the original opening.

"All existing rotten timber window frames will be replaced with powder coated aluminium windows set back from the existing brickwork.

"A new stair will be provided together with repairs to the existing floor and roof structure. The roof construction will be insulation from the interior.

"The existing cobbles with be retained and restored and new black metal gates reinstated to the front of the yard to Market Street."

A separate application has also been submitted to gain listed building consent, which has to be obtained alongside planning consent.

The premises was the former office of law firm Nightingale and Co, which vacated the property more than 10 years ago.

The building was recently sold off by former owners Bolton Council along with next door 112 Market Street.

A resident from the Westhoughton area bought the pair of them for £285,000.

The statement added: "The proposal will respect the existing architectural stable style of the building and seeks to strip back the modern interventions to reveal the existing large original openings to the main elevation.

"The existing large timber ‘barn’ doors will be retained, restored and reinstated.

"All existing stone detailing, brickwork and existing openings will be retained. The new glazed doors and windows will be set back into the brickwork reveal.

"The exterior of the building remains unchanged and therefore does not affect the overall characteristics of the conservation area and does not prejudice the street scene nor does it have any impact on it.

"The high quality of design, we believe, enhances the historical asset and the conservation area."