Plans have been drawn up to convert a former cinema in Lichfield city centre into apartments.
The Tamworth Street building had once been the Regal Cinema, but was last in use as a Kwik Save supermarket.
There had previously been plans to create a hotel, bar and restaurant on the site.
But developers now want to create a four-storey block which would have a mix of one and two bedroom flats with shopping units on the ground floor.
Drawings of the new-look building also show that much of the historic frontage of the building will be retained.
A statement supporting the planning application said: “This building would appear to have detriorated beyond straightforward and economical restoration and reuse.
“Ultimately, the site, while it is located within the conservation area, has little to contribute to the historical importance of the city – with the possible exception of the former cinema facade.
“The site currently is a very poor quality environment and is in urgend need of redevelopment.
“Retaining the former cinema facade, combined with improvements to the site are considered key to encouraging a sense of pride within the local community and also to reintegrating the site.”
The cinema was built in 1932 and showed its first films – The Old Man and The Beggar Student – on July 18 of that year.
It was designed by Birmingham architect Harold Seymour Scott and had an auditorium seating 1,300 people.
The cinema’s final showing came on July 10, 1974, with a screening of The Big Boss starring Bruce Lee.
The developers added: “The application proposes housing development in the very sustainable and accessible location of Lichfield city and also provides a retail focus within the commercial centre of the city.
“It will contribute to the council’s efforts to redress the imbalance in accommodation size by postively contributing to the delivery of smaller properties.
“Given its city centre location, the proposal positively contributes to reducing the overall need to travel and while making provision for off-street parking, also optimises the choice of sustainable modes of travel, particularly walking, cycling and public transport.”
Full details of the proposals can be seen on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.
