A PUB once labelled ‘one of the worst in the country’ for selling booze to youngsters could be turned into three shops.

Affan Ali has applied for permission to change the Golden Cross Inn in Union Road in Oswaldtwistle, into three retail units with new shop fronts and roller shutters.

The pub was named as one of just 22 premises in the country that sold alcohol to children under 18 on three separate occasions in 2007.

The licensee at the time was revoked and, despite its new owners’ claiming to have turned the pub around, it eventually closed and was vacant for years.

Plans to transform the pub into a ‘pay-as-you-use’ snooker club, were approved in 2014, before the club more recently closed down and the building lain vacant.

Under the current bid, the three shops would be built on the ground floor with two flats also constructed on the upper floors. It is also anticipated that a number of jobs would be created from the plans.

Architect Sid Zafar, who submitted a design and access statement on behalf of the applicant to Hyndburn Council, said it had not been decided what type of shops the development would comprise of.

He said: "The three shops would be on the ground floor of the pub, with the two flats on the upper floor.

"If the plans are approved, my client would look to rent out the units to people interested in turning them into shops.

"The current building is a dying place that needs upgrading, and is also an eyesore as it's all boarded up.

"This proposal will secure the use of a vacant building and create a number of jobs.

"This application seeks to make efficient use of a vacant building which, like many other public houses is no longer viable.

"It is located within an existing centre contributing to its vitality and viability and will add to the range of uses and facilities available to those in the local area."

The plans will be considered at a future meeting of Hyndburn Council.