INITIAL meetings are being held with a planning department to discuss rebuilding a canalside pub, microbrewery and restaurant destroyed by a massive fire.

The Grill and Grain at the Boatyard in Bolton Road, Riley Green, had undergone a £1million-plus restoration in November 2016.

However the site suffered severe damage to the roof and interior and faced other major structural problems following a large blaze in April.

Blackburn-based Thwaites Brewery have said they are looking to submit plans to rebuild the site, which they run.

In June the firm said they hoped plans would be submitted by ‘later in the year’ but it has taken longer than initially expected.

They are currently having talks with the planning department ahead of submitting formal documents next year.

A spokesman for Thwaites said: “At the moment we are having initial meetings with the planning department to look at various options for rebuilding on the site before we formally submit plans.

“We’ll be having an update on where that is up to in the New Year.”

The rebuilding is expected to costs hundreds of thousands of pounds once work gets under way.

The blaze,which was tackled by more than 60 firefighters, was believed to have started accidentally but was not cooking related.

Thwaites redeployed the 50 staff, who worked there, at other pubs and inns offering vacancies within the chain.

It was confirmed earlier this year the site would have to be demolished before work starts on rebuilding the site.

Hoghton with Wheelton county councillor Andrew Snowden, a customer of the inn, said earlier this year: “Having seen the damage and the remaining buildings, I am not surprised it will have to be demolished.

“It is good to hear of the brewery’s commitment to rebuild the pub for the benefit of local people and canal users.”

The focal point of the Grill and Grain was a large wood-fire grill in view of customers as well as its own on-site microbrewery, where a range of beer was be specially developed for the inn.

The pub also had six guest rooms and overnight accommodation which were given a new look in the earlier refurbishment.

No diners were in the restaurant at the site when the fire broke out on April 12.

Neighbours and customers of the restaurant said it was ‘a terrible shame’ that the fire broke out earlier this year.