STEPS to transform a boarded-up pub into a Tesco Express are quickening.

The change is proposed at Sutton Way Hotel, Great Sutton.

Agents for the supermarket giant have put in an application for a total of 12 signs at the red-brick building at the corner of Sutton Way and Thelwall Road. They are also seeking permission for external lighting at the store and separately to fit cacti spikes to fencing around a service yard on safety and security grounds.

Planning officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council have been told the measure is a standard Tesco requirement to prevent access to the yard and to the rear of the store. A canopy is proposed on part of a yard, also at the rear of the premises, and a standalone cash machine with two anti-ram bollards on the Sutton Way frontage.

An application has also been lodged with licensing officers for off sales, seven days a week between 6am and 11pm. Comments on that are due by Wednesday, November 28.