PLANS have been revealed to turn half of the post office in Old Town into a bar.

The bid was submitted at the end of January by Alex Mastrodomenico to part of the building into a ‘drinking establishment’.

He said: “It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to have my own bar. It’s still early days at the moment and we’ve had builders in to see what work needs done to the premises.

“It’s all a blank canvas at the moment but the plan is to bring something unique, something different to that part of town.

“We’ve got a great concept for the bar but I can’t say to much about that at the moment.”

Plans for the new bar in the heart of Old Town include a stock room, toilets and a bar area.

News of a plan has been met with a mixed reaction from residents.

Anthea Hilson said on Facebook: “Surely there are enough pubs. What about something different?”

Marge Billingham agreed saying: “We do not need another drinking or eating place. Give clothing shops, handicrafts or book shops a chance!”

But Patricia Sitch thought it was a good idea, saying: “Another pub is fine. It’s great to have choices,” but added that she hoped it would not be another chain pub, saying that it would be “the death of Old Town pubs just like what has happened in the town centre”.

Alex wanted to reassure residents saying that it won’t be just another pub: “I think people will love the bar if the application goes through.

"It will be something that has never been done before in Old Town.”

The building, which is included in the Old Town conservation area, will have its exterior of brickwork left untouched according to the planning application, with the form stating that there would be "no impact on the external appearance of the building".

Early last year, plans to split the post office to create a new shop was approved by South Swindon Parish council and then by Swindon Borough Council’s planners.

The post office was then refurbished in April in what the company said was to offer customers a wider range of services, including a greater number of foreign currencies and longer opening hours.

A decision on the planning application is expected on February 26.