A bar is moving into new, bigger premises following a £350,000 makeover.

Shh! Bar, known for its 1920s speakeasy décor, will move across the road from Northgate, Blackburn, later in the year to the former home of the Ribblesdale Hotel, Gladstone’s and Baroque.

Just a stone's throw from King George’s Hall, the 19th century building is undergoing a £350,000 transformation for when the new tenants move in.

It is part of the Townscape Heritage Project in the Blakey Moor area – a new cultural quarter for the town around King George's.

A new Shh! Bar sign was erected this confirming the move, much to the delight of owners Michael Mohan and Martin Booth-Morton.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bought the building in 2014 to help secure its future.

Its poor condition prevented its immediate reuse, but its architectural significance and prominent location made it a perfect candidate for a Townscape Heritage project.

Funding was secured through the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the external works with the council contributing towards that and the internal works along with the new bar owners.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Shh! Bar has brought something really different and successful to Blackburn and this is a fantastic move for them and the town.

“We’re working hard to create a really strong cultural offer in that area of Blackburn with work also underway to restore neighbouring Blakey Moor Terrace.

“Growing the town’s nightlife and offering a good selection of places to eat all in close proximity to King George’s Hall and the new Reel Cinema is key to the success of that and this is an exciting development.

“Of course, we also have the £250million masterplan for the former Thwaites site and surrounding area too – the biggest plans for town centre regeneration in the whole region.

“Someone said to me a few weeks ago, ‘when has Blackburn ever been so good’ – it really does feel like there’s a buzz about what’s happening here!"

In the future, the larger Shh! premises will provide Michael and Martin with the opportunity to expand their established bar offer to include bar snacks on the ground floor and more formal dining on the first floor.