THE transformation of an empty Darwen pub has been hailed as a success for the town's nightlife.

The closed White Lion pub in The Green has had a banner erected on the exterior announcing the up-coming conversion into a restaurant and cocktail bar.

Formerly run by Thwaites, the historic pub was forced to close in July last year after its manager decided to pull out just four months after opening.

The move to reopen the building and bring it back into use has been welcomed by Darwen Town Council.

Cllr Peter Hollings, the deputy chairman, has said that by bringing the building back into use Darwen's nightlife would be better guarded against declining in a similar way to Blackburn's over recent years.

He said: "I think that it's absolutely great that this empty old pub is being brought back into use for the public.

"It will help further improve the booming night life here in Darwen.

"There is a real move in the town to protect the night life because of what we have seen what has happened to Blackburn over recent years.

"Local businessmen and woman are taking over old pubs or other buildings and making them more attractive for people to go into at night.

"They recognise that times have moved on and a lot of people no longer just want to go into the pub for the whole night.

"There are pubs closing in Darwen but these kind of ventures are popping up just as fast."

Darwen resident Cath Coleman, 55, said: "It's great that we are going to get another business like this because it adds a lot of variety to the town.

"I hope that it is a success."

Darwen Town Councillor Eileen Entwistle said: "I'm pleased when any empty building in Darwen is brought back into use.

"It's important to not have too many and also this move shows that the town does have a pretty good night-time economy."

Former licensee Barbara Greenall, 45, who has also previously run The Entwistle pub in Darwen, reopened the pub following a small refurbishment in March, after it had been shut since January 2014.

But a lack of trade forced her to move on after just a short time behind the bar.

Shorrock Developments, which is involved in the project, was unavailable for comment.