Landmark Hawthorns pub to be transformed into 'fan zone' by Albion

The Grade II listed building will have live music, children's activities, food, drink and merchandise stands and a big screen linked to the system inside the ground.

The zone is inspired by similar projects across the country including one outside Liverpool's Anfield ground.

Officials hope to launch it by the start of next season at the derelict pub on the junction of Halfords Lane and Birmingham Road.

The project will run alongside plans already approved by Sandwell Council to turn a historic section of the building into a drive-through coffee shop and it could eventually be incorporated into an extension of the stadium.

The club has planning permission to demolish the 'east wing' of the pub and have now applied to the council for permission to knock down the 'west wing'.

Head of facility operations and development Mark Miles said: "We want to bring the site back to vibrancy.

"The site has been an eyesore for many years now and we want to continue to regenerate the area.

"Bringing down the wings gives us the perfect way of doing that.

"We are planning to make good the house with new rendering, painting and a refurbishment in sympathy with its heritage but we are still working on the proposals for what we will provide for our supporters."

The pub closed in 2009 and was bought by the club a year later.

Both wings set for demolition were added in the 20th century but the proposals would see the listed, central section of the pub, which dates back to 1845, refurbished to create the coffee shop, which Baggies officials hope will display club memorabilia and form the centerpiece of the fan zone.

The club hopes to start demolition work by February.

The club has a long-term ambition to extend the West Stand over Halfords Lane, increasing the capacity of the ground to more than 30,000, although those plans have been on hold for the last 18 months after demand for tickets failed to increase sufficiently.