PLANS to transform a troubled pub into a cafe bistro will be the first of its kind in Scotland for its owners.

Punch Taverns, which operates more than 4,000 pubs and bars across the United Kingdom, described the planned refurbishment of The Burgh, in Musselburgh, as a “complete transformation”.

And they revealed that it would be the first franchise in a new business concept for the company.

Mock-up images showing the proposed new frontage for the pub were produced at a meeting of East Lothian Council’s licensing board last month.

It showed The Burgh’s green pub exterior replaced by an orange and black design with the new bistro name Brewed and Baked.

Steve McGowan, from Punch Taverns, told the board: “The proposed premises will be the first if its kind for Punch across the whole of the UK.

“It will be a franchise and because it is a first will be closely monitored not just by the area manager but directors of the company.” Punch was applying for a licence to run the new premises as a food and coffee-led business, but still with alcohol available there.

Members of the board, police and licensing officers all expressed concerns about the success of the venture.

Licensing standards officer Rudy Fruzynski said that the changes had been proposed because of “long-term serious problems associated with the operation of these premises as a bar”.

And Musselburgh East ward councillor Stuart Currie said: “This premises has gone through refurbishments and changes in the past, only for the same problems to resurface.

“The community has lost confidence in it changing.” However, Mr McGowan said that the firm planned a £125,000 investment into creating the new franchise.

He said: “This is not just a lick of paint, it is a complete transformation aiming for a new clientele.

“It is aimed at the coffee crowd, if you like.” Punch Taverns agreed to a number of requests from police and licensing officers, including reducing the closing time from 1am to midnight, dropping a request for off-sales from the premises, and an 8pm cut-off time for using the outside area at night.

However, it objected to a call from licensing standards officer Mr Fruzynski for alcohol sales to solely be restricted to patrons who ordered food.

Mr McGowan said: “While the emphasis here is on good food and coffee before alcohol, we still want people to be able to come in, order a glass of wine and read a newspaper.” He added that only one draught beer or lager would be onsale in the new bistro and wine and spirits would be kept under the counter.

The licensing board approved the application for a cafe/bistro licence.