A landmark pub in Blackburn can be turned into a new town centre restaurant and flats after getting the nod from the council.

Younus Khan, of ZT properties, has been granted planning permission to convert the vacant former Adelphi Hotel in Railway Road, Blackburn, into a job-creating ground floor restaurant, with six apartments on the two floors above.

The pub, next to the former Lancashire Telegraph offices, closed in September 2022, after years running as a cabaret bar and played an important role for the LGBTQ+ community in Blackburn.

Now Blackburn-based Mr Khan has can go ahead with the conversion to bring the old building back to life.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted planning approval with six conditions, including that the restaurant's opening hours will be 9am to 11pm.

A report by planning officer Nick Blackledge said: "The application site relates to a four-storey building within the Darwen Street Conservation Area of Blackburn town centre.

"The building holds a prominent position at the junction of Railway Road and High Street.

"The building was last in use as a public house – The Adelphi (now vacant) – and two upper floor flats.

"Full planning permission is sought for a change of use of ground floor from vacant public house to restaurant and creation of six one-bed flats at first and second floor.

"The proposed restaurant would continue to contribute towards a leisure offer and evening economy.

"Policy also supports establishing a vibrant town centre residential population which would likely make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre.

"As a proposal close to key town centre uses the benefits arising from re-use of a vacant building for domestic one-bed accommodation, that is evidently in demand, is recognised by the council’s strategic housing manager.

"The proposed restaurant is considered complimentary to the strategic aspirations for the town centre as a location close other key town centre uses.

"As is the case with the existing use, no in-curtilage / off street parking is available.

"No increased risk to highway safety or efficiency would arise.

"The council's heritage consultee says: 'I do not think the proposed works will result in any substantive harm to the character or appearance of the Darwen Street Conservation Area.

"Furthermore, there will be no harm to the contribution made by the setting to the character and appearance of the Cathedral Conservation Area, nor to the contribution made by the setting to the nearby listed buildings'."

Documents submitted with the application said physical alterations would all be internal and there would be no external alterations.

They promised the conversion would generate a significant number of permanent and part-time employment opportunities.

Blackburn Central ward's Cllr Zamir Khan welcomed the conversion when the planning application was submitted in August..