Ipswich's designated away fan pub has had its plans approved for a second servery in the basement as part of hopes to extend its alcohol serving times.

The Station Hotel, in Burrell Road, opposite Ipswich Railway Station, is set to get a new bar in the basement, with the removal of a window and a metal shutter installed.

This has been done to "increase the available service area".

A covered area is also set to be created, providing a space where pre-match TV can be viewed along with other events throughout the year.

A shipping container will also be set up on a created concrete slab, which will be converted into an accessible toilet and a second concrete slab will be created for portable toilets on match days.

The pub is the dedicated away fan pub, being opposite the station and within a short walking distance from the ground.

As such, the hotel has also applied to update its premises licence.

 This includes the change of layout to add the second servery in the basement, and also to extend the alcohol serving times.

Currently, the bar is permitted to sell alcohol from 10am every day.

This application, however, would mean the pub can sell alcohol from 8am every day.

Town's first home game against Liverpool at Portman Road will kick off at 12.30pm, meaning Liverpool fans would have a window of two and a half hours to get alcohol from the pub prior to kick off.

No changes to the entertainment licence or opening hours have been applied for.

Elsewhere in the town, Mannings in the Cornhill has also applied for an 8am alcohol licence to cater for Ipswich Town matchdays.

Last season, Town had eight 12.30pm kick offs -  with four of them being at Portman Road including Town's promotion game against Huddersfield Town at the end of the season.

That game saw pubs around the town filling up from as early as 8am.