THE prospect of Colne’s former market hall becoming home to a rock venue and bars appears to be fading.

An approach was made by an unnamed would-be developer to Sportex, the Nelson sports clothing company which owns the imposing Dockray Street building, earlier this year.

But general manger Jimmy Craddock has confirmed the proposal for the site, known latterly as the Kippax Biscuit Factory, has been withdrawn.

Liberal Democrat councillors in Colne had signalled their unease at the art deco edifice becoming a night spot.

Critics feared revellers would be spilling out on the streets as late as 3am if an entertainment complex was established there.

Cllr Tony Greaves, deputy council leader and Waterside ward member, said: “The interests of local residents and town centre traders must come first.”

Cllr Dorothy Lord, who also represents Waterside and Pendle Central division on Lancashire County Council, said: “It is difficult to see how the noise could be contained within the building.

“It would be horrific for nearby housing including older people’s flats in the High Street area. It would also be likely to travel across the North Valley.”

Cllr Lord was also concerned about the potential impact, at closing time, as other town centre venues also shut their doors.

Mr Craddock added: “The person who was interested in this has knocked the idea on the head so I’m surprised by this reaction.

“We had a meeting with the council in February and everyone at that time seemed to be all in favour of what we were trying to do.

"But there was some hemming and hawing so the building is now back out for leasing.”

Planning and licensing officials at Pendle Council have said no formal applications were ever lodged in relation to the old market hall, which has been vacant for around 10 years.

The market at the old hall, which also runs along King Street, was transferred to the site off the A56 in the early 1970s.

The site was taken over by the Kippax biscuit factory later, the name surviving a takeover by Farmhouse Biscuits in 1992. But all manufacturing operations were relocated to Farmhouse’s Nelson site in 2006.

Discussions are also taking place over whether the nearby old Colne Health Centre site should be demolished.