Artist's impression of how Wetherspoons pub on site of landmark building will look

The vacant Anglesey Lodge in Anglesey Street will be converted into a new pub, creating a total of 19 full and part-time jobs, under plans put forward by pub giant JD Wetherspoons.

It follows a £50 million regeneration of the town centre, which has seen the opening of a brand new 80,000sq ft Tesco superstore and new Aldi supermarket, while the old Aquarius ballroom has been replaced.

The Anglesey Lodge – formerly the Staffordshire base of the Pritchard Group – is being sold to Wetherspoons because 'they will leave the building in a better state than they found it', says firm owner Fred Pritchard, who has now retired.

Wetherspoons says the new 3,616sq ft watering hole will 'bring the heart back into Hednesford again, with meaning and vibrancy for the community'.

If granted the go-ahead, developers plan to completely overhaul the grade two listed building into a restaurant and bar, ready to open its doors in 2015.

Fred Pritchard, the director of Anglesey Estates Ltd which currently owns the grade two listed building, said: "The plans are to use the building as what it has been for most of its life, for nearly 200 years, as a public house and restaurant for all of the family."

The Anglesey – as it would be known – would also feature local history artwork and sculptures from local artists.

Wetherspoon's bosses behind the scheme claim nearby residents will not be affected by the development, as screening will be put in place in front of the pub for their benefit.

The flagpole used for Armistice Day at the clock tower in Hednesford will remain in place.