A BAR which closed down last year is set to be a real hive of activity again.

Work has got under way to transform the former Calamity Jane’s bar, in Hammerton Street, Burnley, into a Bee’s Knees pub.

Leeds-based Blackstone Pubs have snapped up the former bar in the heart of the town centre.

It will be their second pub in East Lancashire after opening a pub with the same name in St James Street, Accrington.

Around 15 posts are currently being recruited for the venture, including bar staff, supervisors and duty managers.

Sarah Brown, Blackstones’ launch manager, said: “We chose Burnley because of the success of our pub in Accrington.

“We have only just begun refitting work so out anticipated launch date is August 11, although that could still change.”

The same pub firm is also involved in a number of community ‘locals’ across the Leeds and Bradford areas.

But the former Sub-Culture bar, opposite the new Bee’s Knees, will not be opening its doors again, it has been confirmed.

The lease for the triple-fronted premises has been surrendered to the Surrey-based landlords Burnley Estates and the site has gone on the market.

The moves comes amid mixed fortunes for the pubs and clubs trade in the town centre over the past 12 months.

While there have been notable successes, with the relaunch of the The Talbot, in Church Street, and The Old Red Lion, St James Street, as Decadence, the former Bar Central, latterly known as Sub Zero, is still up for sale as is the former Fusion nightclub in Hammerton Street.