‘New life’ could be breathed into Sidmouth’s only nightclub during its part-conversion into a restaurant.

Owner Residential Trust Ltd has applied to refurbish the façade of Carinas, which is in the town’s conservation area, with works including replacing windows and doors.

The proposals also include repainting, replacement of timber, masonry and plasterwork and the installation of a flat roof in place of a pitched one.

The application says: “The views of the building from Fore Street show the current condition of the façades, and in particular, the poor condition of the upper floor bay windows and partially boarded ground floor bays – areas that will be subject to repair and refurbishment.

“The rationale behind the ground floor works is to breathe new life into this part of the building by creating a more open and welcoming environment suitable for a new, modern commercial premises, while protecting the inherent character of the historic building and conservation area.”

Under the proposals, the ground floor windows will be replaced with full height bi-fold windows, allowing uninterrupted views, with a glass balustrade in front.

New windows to the basement will allow additional light to penetrate the lower level and decorative steel bars will be installed.

After its original bid to convert the whole nightclub was refused, Residential Trust Ltd won planning permission to change the use of nearly half of the venue into an eatery.

Carinas is set to close for eight weeks from February 4 for approximately eight weeks for the work to be carried out.

Trust director Chris Eccles previously told the Herald: “We will be forming a new shell finish unit ready for prospective tenants to take over and this will also include new windows to the front which is the subject of a current planning application.

“We have not really started any marketing yet as it will look better when the works are done.”

The conversion was proposed because the club only breaks even and the trust wants to maintain its viability before it reaches the ‘critical point of closure’.

East Devon District Council will decide the fate of the application to refurbish the premises.