THE Co-op has announced its intentions to take over the former Bull's Head pub in Wilpshire.

Bosses hope to have moved into the building in Whalley New Road on the border with Blackburn, by the end of the year, but said they have no plans to close their food store less than a third of a mile down the road .

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Councillors have welcomed the news that something could be done with the pub, which has been closed for more than 12 months, but have raised concerns about the potential loss of "unofficial parking"’ for commuters using the nearby Wilpshire and Ramsgreave Railway Station.

Cllr Phil Riley, who represents Roe Lee, said: “It’s always good to have a building brought back in to use rather than stand derelict.

“In that sense I welcome the fact that the Co-op are interested in the building. But it raises a concern about the car park on the site which has been used as an unofficial car park by commuters using the railway station. Where are those cars going to go?

“In previous times there has been an agreement with between the owners of the Bull's Head owners for commuters to use spaces on the car park.

“It would be nice if something like that could be considered for the future.”

Cllr Ron Whittle, who also represents the area on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It’s a shame that it will no longer be a pub because at one time it was a very successful business.

“I have not got a particular problem with the Co-op taking over. It’s a sign of the times really with pubs closing left, right and centre.

“My only concern is what will happen to the car park.

“The number of people using the train to commute to Manchester, Bolton and Salford is on the rise and I know that a lot of people are using the Bull's Head car park as there are only a limited amount of spaces on the car park owned by Network Rail.

“It would be good if Network Rail could broker a deal with the Co-op over spaces for commuters.”

Fellow ward councillor Sylvia Liddle said: “It’s sad that it couldn’t have been re-opened as a licensed premises again but it is good that something is being done with a building that has been derelict for some time.

“One thing that does surprise me is that it’s in addition to the other store and not a move from it.

“I just hope that an arrangement can be made between the Co-op and Network Rail for parking spaces for commuters.”

A spokesman for the Co-op said: “I can confirm that we are interested in converting the old Bull’s Head on Whalley New Road into a Co-op food store.

“This would be in addition to our existing Brownhill store and we hope that it will be open by the end of the year.”