A hotel that once attracted distinguished guests to stay in Carlisle could be transformed.

The Royal Hotel on Lowther Street closed in 2006 and has stood empty ever since.

But now plans have been submitted to transform it into a bar and restaurant with eight flats above.

Refurbishment works at the city centre site have been ongoing since 2008.

The property - which was once called The Royal Temperance Hotel - has been fully re-roofed and all of the windows have been replaced.

Some flats would have one bedroom and others would have two bedrooms.

And the new development would create 11 jobs - three full time and eight part time.

The small shops below - which include a gin shop, barber’s, convenience store, estate agents, phone shop and a bar - would not be affected by the plans. They are under separate ownership.

Planning approval has previously been granted for a restaurant on the ground floor with kitchens and storage accommodation in the basement with a mix of one and two-bedroom flats at first and second floor level.

The new proposals, put forward by Sarah Dempster of Amante Limited, are for a change of use of the ground floor to a bar and restaurant and the change of use of one of the first floor flats to public toilets and office and staff room accommodation associated with the bar and restaurant.

Access to the bar and restaurant would be via an alleyway off Lowther Street.

The planning statement says: “Overall it is anticipated that the benefit of the development will easily outweigh any harm.”

Meanwhile, work is ongoing to transform an old post office - in a lane between Devonshire Street and Lowther Street - in Carlisle into a restaurant.

A spokesman for this restaurant said: “The crowning glory will be the ability to sit outside and enjoy a meal.

“The seating area is sheltered on all sides and absorbs heat.

“The restaurant project will thus achieve a unique dining facility for Carlisle.”