A FORMER pub in Accrington shut down almost two years ago is set to be converted into flats.

The Boar’s Head in Burnley Road closed down in May 2015 and has remained empty since but is now set to become home to eight apartments.

A last ditch attempt to find a new owner to run the pub proved fruitless.

Now New owners, AJP Chartered Surveyors from Burnley, plan to transform the building into eight flats to boost the town’s supply of good quality accommodation.

Matthew Wyatt, of Lancaster-based planning consultants JWPC, said: “It’s in a prominent site just outside the town centre and will be an extremely convenient location for future residents who won’t need to go far for shopping, work, entertainment and public transport.

“Left empty, buildings quickly deteriorate and it would have been sad to see this once-busy Victorian pub become an eyesore.

“Permission for conversion to apartments has not only secured the future of this building but will make a positive contribution to meeting the need for sustainably located and good-quality apartment accommodation in Hyndburn.”

The building currently has a two-room bar area plus kitchens and washrooms, with a three-bedroom manager’s apartment above.

The site also has a rear yard that was previously used as a smoking area for customers.

JWPC said a report on housing needs in Hyndburn showed that although single-person households represent a large section of the community, the area has a small proportion of flats and maisonettes compared to the national trend.

However the report found that terraced properties represent more than half the total housing stock in Hyndburn, leading to a need to widen the range of accommodation available.

Cllr Paddy Short, who represents the Peel ward on Hyndburn council where the pub is located, said he is pleased to see the building being utilised.

He said: “It’s been empty for quite a while now, its good to see something being been done to these old buildings. Some people have asked the question of anti-social behaviour, but a set of flats is going to be better for the community than an empty pub.

“The main thing is that its to be utilised properly and for the benefit of the community, and to make sure it is better than an empty building. I’d rather all the empty buildings in Hyndburn be used than left empty.”

The property previously went up for auction in April this year at a bottom guide price of £110,000 and a top guide price of £115,000.