A PROMINENT town centre building in Accrington could be given a new lease of life after being put up for sale.

The large, three-storey corner building, in Blackburn Road, was home to controversial lap dancing club iCandy, which closed its doors recently.

It will now go under the gavel, to the delight of deputy council leader Clare Pritchard, who lives in the town. Deputy council leader Clare Pritchard said: “I’m glad it’s up for auction. A lot of buildings are left to rot and that’s a problem for the council.

“This shows there’s an interest in property in Accrington, and we hope it falls into the hands of someone who brings it back into use.”

The 8,826 sq ft building currently houses a Thomson Holidays retail unit, as well as the vacant club upstairs and an empty restaurant downstairs. It is expected to fetch around £250,000 when the gavel slams down in Manchester on February 27, commercial property auctioneers Pugh & Co said on its website.

And Coun Pritchard said she would expect the new owner to be a night club owner or restaurateur, given the building’s current facilities.

She said: “As long as the new owner is a responsible owner who looks after and maintains the building, I’m not that fussed.”

iCandy opened as the town’s first lap dancing club in July 2012 despite a huge campaign against it. Opposition was lodged by residents, who voiced their concern over safety and an increase in crime, and a 1,500-strong petition was handed to the council.

The club withdrew an application to renew its sexual entertainment licence in October, although it still held an alcohol licence, a spokesperson for Hyndburn Council said yesterday.

l Two pubs, the Printers, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, and the Last Orders, in Blackburn Road, Accrington, are also on Pugh’s books, but both are still open for business.