A FORMER town centre pub could be brought back to life as a Best Western hotel and restaurant.

Plans have been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council to convert the old Stage Door pub in Mincing Lane, Blackburn, into a 16-room hotel.

Developers say the hotel would help create 30 full-time equivalent jobs.

They say the site appeals to the Best Western franchise as it is an attractive building which can benefit from a high-quality conversion scheme, is reachable on foot from the town’s train and bus stations and is well connected to the town centre.

The ground-floor restaurant would be open to guests and the public.

Best Western’s involvement with the development is subject to planning permission being granted.

Borough regeneration boss, Cllr Phil Riley, said the development would represent a substantial investment in the town centre.

He added: “We are really delighted. It is a well-known brand and all the evidence suggests that there is room for another hotel.

“Premier Inn in Cathedral Square does very well – it is full a lot of the time.

“It’s a good development for a heritage building and we are happy that someone is going in there.

“Best Western has a standard and this will be in line with that. It is a well-liked brand and it ought to be a smashing addition to the town centre.”

Agent for the developers Farooq Rafiq, of Inspire Planning Solutions, said: “The applicant intends to invest a considerable amount of funds and resources to bring a successful scheme to fruition which is capable of catering for a midrange hotel offer, as a Best Western franchise.

“The proposal would complement the area’s existing offer and support wider regeneration efforts as seen within the Blackburn Cathedral Quarter zone.

“In initial discussions with the planning authority, the principle of development was supported but the need to ensure the right quality of accommodation was seen as an important factor to support wider regeneration – the accompanying plans and supporting documentation demonstrate the applicant’s intent in these regards.

“The proposal seeks to use a historic building, which will be suitably redeveloped and form part of the hotel’s offer.

“Internally, the property will offer generous sized rooms which will be finished to a standard that meets the requirements of Best Western, who the applicant has entered into a pre-contract agreement with.”

The proposal is the latest in a series of mooted hotel developments.

JD Wetherspoon has planning permission to open a £2million 22-room hotel above The Postal Order in Darwen Street, Blackburn.

Chain boss Tim Martin told the Lancashire Telegraph in December work would start on the development in 18 months.

And the first Hilton hotel for East Lancashire will form the centrepiece of the £100million Frontier Park complex.

Hampton by Hilton Blackburn is expected to bring 150 rooms and conferencing facilities for 1,400 delegates to the Whitebirk site by next year.

Monte has signed a franchise agreement with the Hilton offshoot.