Work has begun to transform a building which was once home to a famous Blackburn snooker club.

Renovations have started on the old John’s Snooker and Pool Bar based on Clayton Street which was destroyed in a major fire in March 2020 just days before the first lockdown. The blaze affected a large section of the building and led to the roof collapsing.

Now, contractors have moved in during the first stages of a major re-build. A large crane was seen lifting steel girders into place through the roof area and into the building.

We have learned the new business will take up three floors in the heart of the town centre.

Work is set to be completed over the next year we have been told. The new business may be a large restaurant but this has not been confirmed.

Owners of the new project, which will one of the most significant to take place in the town centre in the past few years are from Manchester.

Lancashire Telegraph:

A crane lowered girders into place through the open roof

‘John’s Snooker Club’ as it was known to many, hosted some of the most famous faces in the sport throughout the eighties and nineties. It closed over a decade ago and had remained abandoned ever since.

Councillor Phil Riley welcomed the news the building was being put to good use.

He said: “It's always good news when someone wants to bring an empty building back into use. It shows confidence in the town as we recover from the impact of the pandemic. It will be interesting to see their plans.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The building was destroyed by a fire in March 2020

A plan had been submitted to open a betting shop at the location in 2008 but this was rejected.

The fire last year destroyed much of the structure but the outer walls and iconic front of the building remained standing.