A BLACKBURN town centre bar has been put up for sale.

Bar Life, Northgate, is on the market for just under £500,000.

The sale comes as fellow pub bosses said the town centre was struggling to attract drinkers, especially as people were looking to hold onto their cash in the recession.

Ronnie Brown, who has run North Bar, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, for the last decade, said times were tough.

He said: “Things are a lot quieter than normal and trade is down.

"My view is that people are frightened of spending their money because they are losing their jobs right, left and centre.”

The sale of Bar Life is being handled by Taylor Weaver Chartered Surveyors, Trident Way, Blackburn, and the building is being offered at £475,000 plus VAT.

“It is a large piece of real estate in the town centre.

"They do not come up that often,” said Alex Taylor, of Taylor Weaver.

Mr Brown said he believed action was needed to help Blackburn’s night time economy.

He said: “The problem needs addressing.

“The fact is people aren’t coming into town and we have to look at why.

"There is very little attracting them into the town and we need support from the council.

“Another issue for the town centre is local pubs staying open very late.

"The Government has messed around too much with the licensing laws.”