Hartlepool arson-hit chapel conversion to include events venue

The Wesley Church on Victoria Road is one of the largest chapels in the region

Plans to transform an arson-hit Grade II-listed former Methodist chapel into a luxury hotel have been updated to include an events venue.

Work began earlier this year to convert the derelict former Wesley Chapel in Hartlepool into a boutique hotel.

Owner Jomast has now applied for permission for an events venue on the upper ground floor.

The Hartlepool Development Corporation will consider the proposals, which also include outdoor terraces at the venue.

The chapel, which was built in 1873, was extensively damaged by a fire in 2017.

Other new proposals include ramped access to the venue and cycle parking, the Local Democracy Reporting Service. said.

The former church has been without a roof since the fire in 2017

Jomast, is in partnership with Hartlepool Council for the development using money from the government's Town Deal to fund the work.

The £4m project is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

It will see the building - one of the largest chapels in the north-east of England - transformed into a 36-bedroom boutique hotel with a combined bar and restaurant.

Hartlepool Council said the development would create 55 full-time jobs once the hotel is up and running