THE former bowling alley in Accrington is to be revived with three new businesses creating jobs.

The building near the Viaduct has been partly empty since the Superbowl closed two years ago.

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Now it is set to be occupied by Farmfoods and Domino’s Pizza complementing the still-operating four-screen Vue Cinema and McDonald’s on the car park of the Hyndburn Road site.

Owner Globe Enterprises is searching for another retailer to take a third unit being opened up from the vacant 20-lane bowling alley and associated facilities.

Hyndburn borough leader Miles Parkinson and Barnfield ward Tory councillor June Harrison have welcomed the planning application for the new development in the shadow of the town’s Victorian Grade II listed railway viaduct.

Globe Enterprises is a public/private partnership involving Hyndburn Council and Barnfield Construction and other investors which refurbished the building 10 years ago.

Its design statement said: “The proposal will bring a long vacant and prominent site at a gateway to the town centre back in to active use.

“It will provide a substantial number of jobs, as well as bringing footfall and activity to the area, to support other businesses.”

Cllr Parkinson, also director of Globe, said: “This is really good news and fits in with our plans to regenerate and revitalise the centre of Accrington including the nearby new bus station.

“The Superbowl initially closed in May 2012 when ten pin bowling took a downturn then reopened for a few months later that year.

“It brings in two major national brands we have been seeking to bring to the borough – Farmfoods and Domino’s.

“They will complement the Vue Cinema and MacDonald’s.

“Hopefully they will bring more people in the town centre with improved car parking and being close to the new bus station on Crawshaw Street.

“I am absolutely delighted at this development and we are now looking for a third company to take the remaining space being created.”

Cllr Harrison said: “It’s really good to see two major national brands coming into Hyndburn and Accrington.

“It should really help bring life and people back to the town centre.”

The application will now be considered by Hyndburn Council’s planning committee.