From bare knuckle boxing to ballet for Bristol pub

The White Hart pub in Brislington is expected to be transformed into a permanent headquarters for the Bristol School of Performing Arts.

The grade II-listed building on Brislington Hill – once the scene of bare-knuckle boxing matches – is in the process of being bought by the acting, dancing and singing company.

Punch Taverns owns the historic building which was leased to an operating company.

The school has made a planning application to change the use of the building from a pub to a "training centre for the performing arts".

John Redgrave, who runs the school with his wife Melanie, said: "This would provide more opportunities for young performers across Bristol and the surrounding areas.

"It's in a very good location and it would be great to have a headquarters of this size. It would give our performers more of a chance to grow and develop."

John is part of the Redgrave acting dynasty which includes his uncle Michael and cousins Vanessa, Lynn and Corin.

The school rents studio space at Bristol Grammar School, but this venture would provide them with a permanent home. Mr Redgrave said another advantage would be that high profile producers are more likely to come to hold auditions. The school, which for more than 40 years has trained children from six-18, has as many as 1,000 regular members.

The plans are for existing rooms in the three-storey building to be refurbished and made into as many as 10 studios, including four large dance and performance spaces with smaller rooms for one-to-one tuition and voice coaching. There is also a proposed cafe and refreshments area for the performers and their parents.

Mr Redgrave added: "The building itself is listed so it will stay looking as it does now."

The new studios would use the existing 46 parking spaces. If planning permission is granted, the studios could open later this year. The proposed opening hours are 4pm-10pm (Monday to Friday), 9am-5pm (Saturday) and 9am-6pm (Sunday).

The White Hart remains open for business until the deal is finalised. The manager, who did not wish to be named, said the pub had been for sale for the past eight years. She said: "I've been working here since June. Our customers are lovely but like a lot of pubs trade has been in decline."

The public has until February 4, to comment on the application, number 09/04821/F. People can visit www.bristol.gov.uk or call 01179 222000.