A RESTAURATEUR is looking to breathe new life into a former pub and hotel – after turning around the fortunes of another East Lancashire hostelry.

Plans have been lodged with Rossendale Council by Riast Khan to convert The Swan, in Market Street, Bacup – which has been closed for more than two years – into a new Indian restaurant.

MORE TOP STORIES:

He is hoping to enjoy similar success as his 2014 conversion of the Farmer’s Glory, in Roundhill Road, Haslingden, into a similar high-class eaterie, which is now known as the Anar Kali.

Part of the regeneration plans for The Swan, which is at the corner of Queen Street, would see the demolition of an external smoking shelter and the construction of an added kitchen extension.

Planning agent David Hancock said: “The Swan is currently vacant but it has been in use as a public house for many years.

“It is an impressive building which has, in recent years, been allowed to deteriorate.

“My client’s proposals are to restore the stonework to the main elevations, replace all the windows, many of which are rotten, and restore the building as a restaurant.”

The hotel’s upper floors, previously used as the landlord’s accommodation, would be adapted as staff toilets and for general storage.

Mr Khan, of Greenbank Gardens, Rawtenstall, is also looking to modify part of his proposals to expand the scope of the Farmer’s Glory.

He secured planning permission for a single-storey extension, to provide extra cover, to the east of the historic pub.

But he is now looking to finish off the project with different roof slates than first approved, as the original materials are no longer available.

Cllr Peter Steen, who represents the town’s Greensclough ward, said: “I must confess when I saw this planning application I did a little jig.

“If someone with this chap’s level of expertise is willing to take on The Swan then it’s fantastic news for everyone.

“It will help to bring more people into the town centre – which is what we all want really.”

He said that the only concern he would raise, ahead of any decision being made, was for the double yellow lines outside the pub, recently lost, to be reinstated for safety reasons.