Nottingham's Ned Ludd pub to be converted into offices

Cian Jamieson, assistant general manager, says staff will "not stop" serving customers

A city centre pub is to be converted into offices, despite a petition calling for the venue to be saved.

Plans for the ground floor and basement of The Ned Ludd, in Friar Lane in Nottingham, were approved by the city council on Friday.

Applicant PKL Investments Limited argued the change was "a positive redevelopment" creating "a more diversified city centre".

Pub staff say they "don't know when, how or even if things will happen".

The Ned Ludd, named after a Nottingham folk hero who led the Luddites textile worker uprising in the 19th Century, has been a feature on Friar Lane since 2013.

Prior to it opening, the building was used as offices.

Cian Jamieson, assistant general manager, said the community had been hugely supportive after plans to convert back to an office space were lodged.

A petition to save the venue was even launched by one regular.

A petition was set up to save The Ned Ludd, which is set to be converted into offices

And as far as the pub is concerned, customers will continue to be served.

Mr Jamieson told the BBC: "People have shown so much support. It's not a position we ever wanted to be in, but we have to deal with it.

"But we don't know when, how or even if things will happen. Until then we're still here.

"We're going to do what we're doing, serving people, we're not going to stop."

Planning permission was previously granted to convert the building's first and second floors into an aparthotel.

The remaining upper floors, which are occupied by serviced apartments, are unaffected by the application.