Owners of a rundown pub in Cheltenham want permission for a "crucial" refurbishment.

The Harry Cook Freehouse in Montpellier Walk is a popular spot for watching sport -screening events such as the Euros and Six Nations.

Last year it was named in the top 20 venues in the country for cheering on a team by electrical retailer Currys.

But all that cheering and beer sloshing has left it a little rough around the edges.

Owners now want to give the building, which dates back to 1836, a much needed makeover.

They have applied to Cheltenham Borough Council for permission to replace the weathered grey exterior with a smart new green design featuring new signs and retractable awnings at the rear entrance on Montpellier Street.

They also want to carry out work inside to extend the bar, install new floor finishes, new fixed seating, drink shelves, a new low-level screen and refurbish the toilets.

The venue is owned by Midlands-based company Mitchells & Butlers, which also owns the Toby Carvery, Harvester and All Bar One brands and operates a string of 14 pubs across Gloucestershire.

The company was hit hard by the pandemic, reporting a pre-tax loss of £123million in November 2020 and revealing it had cut 1,300 jobs.

But it appears the tide has turned with the company crediting strong sales over Christmas for a 7.7% uplift in like-for-like sales in the first 15 weeks of the current fiscal year started on October 1.

A planning statement submitted by Inventive Design Associates on behalf of the applicant said: "The design has been developed to have minimal impact on the surrounding area whilst still providing the needed refurbishment to the run-down premises and meet the need operationally therefore allowing this public house to continue to serve the community.

"The proposed awnings have been positioned and selected to have minimal impact on the heritage setting whilst taking into account the public users.

"The Harry Cook Free house is an important part of the local community. The current condition is poor and refurbishment is crucial for the public house in maintaining a sustainable business model moving forward."

A decision is expected by May 9.