AN historic Ribble Valley pub will not be re-opening as a business despite objections from the parish council.

Members of the Simonstone Parish Council hoped the Simonstone Hotel would be taken on by new investors after being put on the market.

But, it will now be turned into a private home.

Pamela Jelley, chairman of the council, said: “It is very sad as we are losing a local amenity.

"It has always been the village pub and subsequent landlords have struggled to make a go of it because of the high rents and demands made by the brewery who own it.

“We are sad that the council haven’t really tried to get our local pub back.

"We now have no amenities in the area and will always have to travel to go to a shop or a pub.”

The hotel has had a chequered history and since 1999 its windows have been boarded up and it has been closed on three occasions before the former owners Punch Taverns finally accepted defeat and put it on the market in April, last year.

Planning chiefs at the Ribble Valley Borough Council gave the green light for the hotel and pub in Simonstone Lane to be converted into a private home at a meeting.