Shopping arcade plans for former Bacup pub (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Shopping arcade plans for former Bacup pub

2:50pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Bacup By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A FORMER pub in Bacup could be converted into shops after plans were submitted to Rossendale Council.

The Commercial Hotel and two adjoining properties would be turned into a shopping arcade with four shops, and four one-bedroom flats above, if the plans are given the green light.

The pub, in Newchurch Road, has been closed for two years now.

A spokesman for Concept Design Architects, who have put the plans together with applicant Express Freight Solutions, based in Burnley, said: “The former Commercial Hotel and two adjoining properties have become vacant due to the current financial climate, some months prior to this application my client purchased these properties with a view to developing them into viable retail units and residential lets.

"The proposal involves the change of use of a public hotel namely The Commercial Hotel, due to a decline in trade back in 2009 and subsequent financial position the public house was forced closed in January 2010.

“The property is located approximately within 100 metres from the Rose ’n’ Bowl restaurant and bar and 450 metres from The Hare and Hounds public house, all of which are located on Newchurch Road.

“Its close proximity to these businesses with their strong competition was the main reason for its failure.”

The property has been marketed for the past 17 months but the agents said it was clear it was 'not now a viable option as a public house'.

The scheme has been designed to fit in with the character of the area, with Holy Trinity Church across the road and two 18th-century houses further down the road.