PLANS to convert a dilapidated former bar into a gourmet burger restaurant have been approved.

Work started to clear out the former Pitchers pub in Blackburn town centre in April and now Blackburn with Darwen Council planners have approved the development.

The eyesore pub was sold to a West Yorkshire businessman for more than £200,000 and his new upmarket eaterie will create 25 jobs.

The building will be transformed into Frankie’s Burgers and Dessert Parlour and could reopen later this year.

Pitchers closed in December 2010 and had become a blight on the regeneration of the town centre as the new £5million bus station opposite and the £35m Cathedral Quarter rose around it.

After failing to reach its reserve price of £250,000 at auction in December, it was sold privately by estate agents Trevor Dawson for a value believed to be close to the highest offer of £230,000.

The two-storey brick building, one of the few vacant freehold sites in the town centre, had become dilapidated and run down over the eight years since it closed and was considered a blight on the £40m regeneration of the central retail and leisure area.

The original property was built in the late 19th century and has operated as a pub called Ye Olde White Bull Hotel.

But it was later demolished and the current structure dates back to 1959.

Permission has now been granted for the restaurant and developers have lodged a separate application, yet to be determined, to put up signs advertising the new eaterie.

Trevor Dawson sold the building on behalf of two Manchester businessmen, who bought the property soon after it was shut by Admiral Taverns, with a covenant preventing it reopening as a pub.

It has a ground floor with bar, function room and nightclub. The first floor has an office, kitchen, four further rooms and a bathroom.

In the last five years, Blackburn town centre has seen the arrival of Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay, Italian A Mano, Café Northcote, and Premier Inn’s Thyme Restaurant in the town’s Cathedral Quarter.

Nando’s has also opened on the Peel Retail and Leisure Park behind the railway station.

Former market stall Hugo Burrito also launched as a new Mexican bar and restaurant in Northgate.

There are also plans for well-known Indian restaurant chain east Z east to move into the former Blakey’s Bar in King George’s Hall.