WORK has begun on converting a former hair salon into a new bar and eatery linking to Bradford's Sunbridge Wells underground tunnel complex.

Plans lodged earlier this year with Bradford Council to revamp the former Toni & Guy hairdressers on Ivegate have now been approved.

The building has been vacant since 2014 and once complete with make another entrance to the Sunbridge Wells complex.

Graham Hall, the man behind Sunbridge Wells, confirmed that he had acquired the site to allow further access to the complex.

He added that they were leasing the building out and that work had recently begun.

"This will be the fifth entrance to Sunbridge Wells. It is basically going to be a bar and eatery on two levels and it will connect to the Rose & Crown which is one of the oldest pubs in Bradford."

"It's the last piece of the jigsaw in the complex," he added.

Joseph Waite, a joiner with experience of fitting out shops, is behind the bar plan.

He told the Telegraph & Argus that it would be called Bar 39 and would be a craft ale bar on the lower floor and a rum cocktail bar on the upper floor.

"There is a fair bit of structural work to complete," he said. "All new steels are needed on the first floor and part of the ground floor needs to be removed."

He added: "We are hoping to open by the August bank holiday."

A design and access statement submitted with the application states: “It is proposed to form the new shopfront in a Victorian style to suit the Sunbridge Wells Tunnel style, replacing the tired 1970s shopfront.

“The upper façade and return will have new full height windows with sills down to first-floor level. The existing stone will be cleaned and if necessary re-pointed.”

It adds: “The new facilities will provide two new bars, one on each level, and will extend the appeal of the whole Sunbridge Wells complex by providing another interesting access to the recently-rediscovered Rose and Crown, and the other interlinked facilities.”