ANOTHER pub in Blackburn has called last orders for the final time.

The West View Hotel, in Revidge Road, shut its doors earlier this week and signs and fittings were removed from the Thwaites pub, which sold real ales and featured snooker and darts teams.

One councillor said the economic climate and changing population was to blame for the closure, which he described as a ‘shame’.

Labour councillor Arshid Mahmood, who represents the Corporation Park ward and lives in Revidge Road, said: “This is another pub that is not used that well, and the community has changed.

“That’s the same scenario across town, but a whole host of pubs in the area, apart from one, have closed now.

“It’s a shame to see another community asset, and a place where people could meet, gone.”

Pubs in Blackburn are closing at an alarming rate, according to statistics published by drinks trade analysts CGA, which showed the town to be one of the worst in the country for pub closures in 2012.

A Facebook group set to up track closing pubs in the town, called Closed Pubs of Blackburn, saw users speculate about the West View’s future.

Ian Knowles wrote: “My dad used to be in there every weekend playing snooker, up until about 20 years ago.

“The demise of pubs in Blackburn and Darwen is awful.

“Sadly, it’s a sign of the times, changed licensing hours and a changed population in some areas, not mention high investment and rental needed by the breweries.”

And Richard Carr added: “I live two minutes away and go in for darts now and again, but it is usually very quiet.

“I would go in more but virtually all pubs are too expensive a hobby now to be a regular anywhere like the last generation could afford to be.”

Thwaites yesterday confirmed the closure but said it was unable to comment further.