New chapter for Hawthorns pub

But now, The Hawthorns is looking towards the next chapter in its story: becoming a 'fan zone'.

Existing wings of the landmark pub, opposite West Brom's ground of the same name, have been demolished as part of the project.

And approval has now been granted to knock down the Grade II-listed building's 'west wing' to make way for the fan zone.

The new facility will have live music, children's activities, food, drink and merchandise stands and a big screen linked to the system inside the ground. Officials hope to launch it by the start of next season.

It has been inspired by similar projects across the country including one outside Liverpool's Anfield ground.

Parts of the pub and the land around it, including the current car park, will house the new facility.

This new image shows the shell of the main pub building surrounded by scaffolding with development work well under way. Both distinctive side wings to the pub have now been taken down as part of work to remodel the site.

Head of facility operations and development, Mark Miles, said the club wanted to bring back the 'vibrancy' back to the site.

He claimed the pub had become an eyesore for many years and the demolition work will help with regeneration plans.

The venue, in Birmingham Road, had been home to the West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club before it closed around six years ago.

Recently, the supporters club has been meeting on matchdays at the Supreme Banqueting and Conference Centre in Roebuck Lane, West Bromwich.

They used a suite inside the stadium for some games last season but supporters' club chairman John Homer hopes the new venue will help boost membership and give fans another option before home games.