AT one time it was one of the most recognisable buildings in Burnley.

The Great Universal Stores building was built by the catalogue store as its headquarters on Bridge Street with work on the ambitious multi-storey project beginning in 1969.

What made the construction a challenge was that it was built in two halves - Parker Street at one time ran through the middle of it, before the two halves were joined together and the building was opened in 1970.

By far its most distinctive feature was the mosaic which adorned the entrance. It was designed to reflect prominent people and buildings in the town’s history and included references to Richard Towneley and Towneley Hall, the Mechanics Institute and a pithead and shuttle referring to the town’s industrial heritage,

There were also references to Burnley’s role as a military town, an obligatory pint of ale and even a witch on her broomstick referring to the tale of the Lancashire Witches.

In its heyday, GUS was one of Burnley’s largest employers. Kingsway House as it became known operated as a call centre for a variety of mail order businesses, the last of them - Shop Direct - closed in 2010.

The building was subsequently turned into office space for a number of businesses including for a time Endsleigh Insurance when it moved from its longtime base at Ashworth House, a coffee shop and a gym.