PLANS to convert part of the former Leyton Town Hall building into a pub have been approved.

Waltham Forest Council has rubber stamped the proposals by London chain Antic Ltd for alterations to the Grade II listed site in Leyton High Road.

It comes after several front rooms of the historic building were used for a temporary 'pop-up' bar by the company during the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.

Antic Ltd applied for change of use permission, along with the installation of a pub sign, a new door and repairs to its ceiling.

The application was approved under delegated powers by council officers.

Antic Ltd has been credited with helping to revitalise Leytonstone High Road when it reopened the historic Red Lion last year, and it is hoped a new up-market pub in Leyton could have a similar effect.

The building, which is now officially called Leyton Municipal Offices, is owned by Lee Valley Estates.

Its chairman, Michael Polledri MBE, told the Guardian he hoped the new pub would open early in 2013.

However Antic Ltd added a note of caution, saying there were a number of "red tape" bureaucratic issues and there was no guarantee when or if the pub would open.