The owners of Shh! bar have pulled out of moving into a building in Blakey Moor that cost £350,000 to restore.

The announcement is a huge blow to the council’s plans to regenerate the historic Northgate area of Blackburn town centre as a cultural and leisure quarter.

The transformation of the 19th century building is part of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s plans for the Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage Project.

However, bar owners Michael Mohan and Martin Booth-Morton announced today (October 15) that they ‘for many reasons, will not be moving to what was to be their new home’.

The owners announced their U-turn on Facebook, writing: “Things haven't gone as we hoped they would, so with a lot of sadness on our part, we will not be going ahead.

“We have tried really, really, hard to make this happen but sadly it wasn’t to be.

"We are sure someone else will step in and take over this beautiful building and we genuinely wish whoever that is all the luck in the world.

“There are no recriminations and no blame aimed at anyone, it simply wasn’t meant to be.

"We are truly devastated that we have reached this point, but we are where we are.”

This announcement comes less than a month after the East Z East venue in Blackburn town centre shut after a possession order was placed upon the council owned building.

And it comes two weeks after the council had to announce its renovation of the nearby Blakey Moor Terrace, opposite King George's Hall, had to be redesigned because of storm damage. 

Conservative councillor Paul Marrow said: “Unfortunately, the council will no doubt be picking up this bill.

“The council has spent a lot of money on this, and we do need a tenant in it.

"The market is not great and that building was meant to be a flagship part of the new Blakey Moor Terrace area.

“With the East Z East already closing and the money spent on Blakey Moor Terrace, there’s a lot of work to be done and that area is becoming a bottomless pit of money.

“It is falling apart at the seams, and it is not just down to the economic difficulties, but it’s also partly down to the council.

"The council had a lot of money invested in that building so it needs to take a hard look at itself moving forward.

“I don’t want to talk the town down but it’s not in a good position. We need a vibrant, healthy night-time economy.”

Speaking on the announcement, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Cllr Phil Riley, who has worked closely with the owners, said the council are sad to see the Shh! bar close.

He added: "We’ve worked closely with Michael and Martin to help make their dreams for expansion become a reality and we’re sorry that it hasn’t worked out for them. I wish them both luck for the future.

“The work to transform the former Ribblesdale building is incredibly impressive – bringing it back to its best.

“It’s been finished to a high standard, meaning we’re in a good position as it’s ready to let.

“It’s an important part of our brand-new Cultural Quarter for the area surrounding King George’s Hall and we’re already speaking to another successful food and drink operator who is interested in the property.

“We’re determined to make this a success and have significant investment plans for the town centre, including our £250m masterplan for the former Thwaites site.”