A VENUE dedicated to 'the blues' is set to open its doors inside an old Catholic club next month.

The Big House Blues Bar and Grill will replace the historic club in Wellington Fold, Darwen, which has been shut for nearly two years.

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Since owner Sam Cooper bought the building 15 months ago, it has gone through an extensive refurbishment and will be a place where visitors can enjoy listening to live blues bands while tucking into steaks, chicken and ribs from the grill.

Mr Cooper, who has been a fan of blues music since he was young, said when he bought the space, he knew it had great potential.

He said: “We have refurbished the place from top to bottom and I am excited to get it open and to meet all the customers.

“I think it’s going to be a really special venue.

"I have always wanted my own bar and when I saw this place I knew it had so much potential to have a stage and all the things we wanted.

“We are aiming it at proper blues fans and we will not deviate from that genre of music.

“Darwen is an up and coming town for bars and nightlife.

"Inside we plan to have pictures on the wall of other bars around.

“People will not recognise the place when the walk in, it’s so different from the catholic club but I think it’s a positive change.”

Mr Cooper is based in Horwich and also owns two businesses in Farnworth which manufacture kitchens and bathrooms.

The venue includes a stage where high-quality bands will be hired to perform live for customers.

When the stage is not in use, a curtain will be drawn across it and blues music will be played through a sound system.

The bar stretches across two rooms and across the walls right through the venue memorabilia is in the process of being put up which will include old pictures of blues legends.

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for regeneration, said the opening of another new bar shows Darwen is booming.

He said “I am very pleased to hear this venue is opening soon and it is yet another indication that Darwen’s nightlife is booming.

“I will be popping in in the near future to see what the place is like.”