A major pub and bar group from Blackpool which already has a foothold in Gloucestershire has revealed its plans for expansion into the Cotswolds with a new venture that's now been backed by planners.

Bringing the promise of 20 new jobs, Amber Taverns' scheme for a significant section of a former department store in Stroud will see what was an M&Co outlet being converted into a pub after Stroud District Council backed a project to convert the Regency building in the centre of Stroud.

Scheduled to open early next year, the venture will join Amber Taverns' existing Gloucestershire stake: the group has 170 pubs across the UK map, with The Doctors on Eastgate Street in Gloucester and The Eagle Social Tap, which is also being readied for imminent opening on Cheltenham's High Street.

Resonating with its Cheltenham sister, the Stroud pub will be called the King Street Social Tap and the project will become a fresh example of the Blackpool pub giant's stated commitment to restoring premises in conservation and listed areas.

With full plans submitted for the Grade II-listed site in May now approved, a licence application was also rubberstamped in July, and the scheme marks a new chapter for the site on King Street after M&Co departed last year amid cutbacks which also saw the fashion chain exit Tewkesbury.

The prime retail spot sits close to the town's Five Valleys Shopping Centre and details show that a new bar area will be created, along with toilet facilities and a storage area on the first floor. A three-bedroom flat has also been permitted above the bar, on the condition that its use is solely in connection with the new business. Trading hours for the pub, which is a 3,400 sq ft site, will be from 10am to 12.30am on Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tony Davey, Stroud Mayor and chair of the Stroud & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce welcomed the plan to convert part of the building as evidence of the town's willingness to evolve and adapt to new expectations of what the centre can offer.

Larger units were less in demand, he said, while there is "a rebalancing towards more experiences, hospitality and services".

He added: "It is good to see this prominent space on track to come into use again and that it is being repurposed in a way that can bolster the night-time economy, in addition to serving a daytime need."

The absence of such a move risked undeveloped buildings becoming a blot, he said, warning that the former Peacocks building now looks set to be long-term vacant.

He added: "Seeing this investment and the employment opportunities that come with it is a positive move."

Sam Frankland, property director for Amber Taverns, said the project to convert 316 sqm of existing space into a pub would see 20 new jobs being created.

Amber Taverns was incorporated in 2005 and its CEO is James Baer. In its latest annual figures (to February 5 last year), the wet-led business reported sales up 70% on the previous year as its fortunes bounced back from Covid. Operating profit doubled from the previous year's £7.9m to £15.8m, with gaming machines and bar gross profit being reported as a significant factor.

In a statement on its business approach, the pub group said: "Amber Taverns are unique in that we offer an operator agreement to all our licensees and through the operator agreement our licensees are incentivised to develop the business.

"We don't interfere or tell people how to run their business but we do build strong business relationships with our pub operators and help them to celebrate their own success, but at the same time we do offer substantial support."

● Key design elements are listed by the group as: "Super comfortable, well lit, good wifi, great natural light and modern design, great range at great value, great hospitality and customer service, warm and secure, with no issues - serving all eligible members of the community safely and with a great atmosphere, great events (where you can book tables) giving great memories, market-leading sports coverage and atmosphere."