A DERBY pub which has stood empty for months could be turned into homes for 12 people if plans are approved.
The Florence Nightingale pub in London Road in the city centre has been empty for about five months.
Developer Dan Holden has now submitted plans to Derby City Council to turn it into a house of multiple occupancy with 12 en-suite rooms, his second project of its kind in the city.
In his design and access statement, Mr Holder's agent, Paul Johnson, said that the pub had seen many tenants over the past few years.
He said: "The continual downturn in public house usage has led to successive tenants failing to make the premises financially viable despite several facelifts and relaunches.
"The premises closed completely, since when there has been absolutely no interest from potential new tenants."
Tracie Mayes, who works at Derby City Furniture in London Road, said it was a good thing that the building was set to be filled again.
She said: "It's been empty for months so it'll be good to see something done with it.
"After the smoking ban, a lot of pubs which didn't serve food were affected and I suppose the economic climate means more people drink at home rather than out.
"Hopefully it'll be good for business too. Since London Road Bridge was closed it's been really quiet."
The Florence Nightingale pub was well-known for its karaoke evenings and drew in customers from the old Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
It was hit hard when many of the DRI's services moved over to the Royal Derby Hospital in 2009, when it was owned by Punch Taverns.
It also drew bad publicity in 2010 when it was the scene of a large-scale fight between Rams and Forest fans which resulted in 12 men being jailed for a total of 16 years and six months
The freehold for the pub had been on the market since October for £225,000 and is close to the London Road Community Hospital on the corner of London Road and Litchurch Street.
Mr Holder previously converted a house in Gerard Street, in Derby, into a house of multiple occupancy and said in the statement that this led to discussions with the city council.
Mr Johnson said: " Having carried out the successful conversion of 18 Gerard Street North, Dan Holder discussed the principle of converting these premises with the council, with a view to carrying out the conversion before the building fell into disrepair through being left empty for a length of time."
A date for a decision on Mr Holder's plans is yet to be set.
