A FORMER town centre cafe could be transformed into a shop.

Plans have been lodged to Blackburn with Darwen Council to convert the old BB1 For Life cafe in Northgate into

And the first and second floors of the property could be converted into flats in the future, according to supporting documents submitted as part of the application.

The application states: "In essence, it is proposed to bring the building back into commercial use at ground floor level.

"It is intended, at a later date, to bring the first and second floors into some form of use; possibly residential flats hence the creation of two separate entrances and the moving of the ground floor stairs to access the first floor.

"However, this specific detail is internal and not the subject of an application because planning consent is not specifically required for this internal alteration (moving the stairs).

"The proposal will generate new employment opportunities locally, will greatly improve the visual character of the immediate locality along Northgate and have no adverse impact upon the character of the Northgate Conservation Area.

"There will be no other material changes to the fabric of the building."