A BAR company is getting ready to open a new venue at the famous Black Cap pub in Camden Town, almost a year after it closed down amid protests in the streets.

Ruth & Robinson's plans for the nightspot in Camden High Street were published today (Thursday) with the company revealing its aim to "create a unique, distinctive and vibrant drinking establishment which is welcoming to the whole community". Designs shown to planners included a new shopfront with the name 'Hollenbeck's' across the front door.

The closure of the Black Cap last April, recognised as one of the country's best loved LGBT venues, led to demonstrations outside the shuttered building.

Camden Council had listed the bar, which dates back to the 19th century, as an asset of community value (ACV) but almost immediately afterwards the pub was closed.

Protests at the Black Cap closure last year

Negotiations to re-open it as a branch of The Breakfast Club, a morning diner with a string of outlets in London, broke down last year as fans of the Black Cap continued to call for their old pub back. The building was later cleared of squatters.

The new set-up would see bar areas on the ground and first floors, with function rooms on the second floor. A kitchen would be in the basement.

Ruth & Robinson opened the "Brooklyn-inspired" Fourteenth Colonie bar in Clerkenwell in 2014, as it unveiled plans to open eight sites in London over five years.

More recently, however, the company has been reported to be looking at new "local urban bar concept".

The paperwork filed at the Town Hall said: "Planning permission is sought to confirm the use of the building within Use Class A4 (drinking establishment). It is proposed that the site will be operated by Ruth and Robinson Ltd, an independent start-up business and will be run as a drinking establishment with occasional live music and acts."