A LANDMARK pub has become an ‘eyesore’ after brewery bosses boarded up the building with metal sheeting.

Daniel Thwaites remain tight-lipped about the future of the Regency in Accrington town cente pub, except to say they are finalising plans which they hope will see it re-open shortly.

However, councillors are urging swift removal of the shutters from the property on the corner of Church Street and Blackburn Road, which already has a number of vacant neighbours.

Ward councillors Paul Barton and Tony Dobson, together with Coun Kath Pratt, have written to Thwaites’ managing director requesting more information.

Councillors say they have also made calls asking to be kept informed about the building due to its prominent and strategic position in the town, but have yet to receive a reply.

Coun Kath Pratt said: “It used to be a landmark and in a matter of days it’s become an absolute carbuncle. It’s not doing the town any good.”

Coun Paul Barton added: “It looks an abolute disgrace and there’s no knowing how long it will stay that way. The effect on Blackburn Road is dire.”

When contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph a press release from Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites said: “We are in the process of finalising plans for the Regency Bar and unfortunately there will be a short period of time where the property will be vacant.

"Being in the position it is we had to take necessary measures to secure the property.

"However, I don’t anticipate this will be for too long as the property will be subject to a refurbishment in the very near future.”

When asked if the pub were searching for new tenants, Thwaites said it was unable to comment.