Councillors have approved the total refurbishment of Accrington's Market Chambers in Blackburn Road, despite concerns about the future of a popular bar on the ground floor.

The granting of planning permission for the £5 million redevelopment of the building, opposite the town’s Market Hall, into a heritage and cultural space represents the next step in the multi-million pound transformation of the town centre.

Hyndburn Council’s planning committee on Thursday unanimously approved the project.

It is one of three major projects in the Accrington Town Centre Masterplan which will see the redevelopment of Burtons Chambers, the Market Hall, and Market Chambers, for which £70m of government levelling up cash and other investment has been secured.

The approval was granted despite concerns from Netherton Labour Councillor Jodi Clements and Baxenden Conservative and borough housing boss Cllr Kath Pratt about the future of The White Orchid boutique bar on the ground floor of the Market Chambers.

Hyndburn Council's chief planning and transportation officer Simon Prideaux told the committee the authority was in commercial negotiations with the premises' owners regarding its future when the refurbishment went ahead.

He also told councillors officers were in talks with the handful of tenants occupying flats on short leases in the building's upper stories, where most of the residential apartments were already vacant.

Rishton ward's Labour Councillor Bernard Dawson expressed concern over whether the new use would have adequate parking, but Mr Prideaux assured him Lancashire County Council's highways department were happy there was sufficient mainly free parking in the vicinity.

A planning report to councillors said: “Overall, the purpose of the proposed repair and alterations to the Market Chambers is to enable its transformation into cultural/community facilities with ancillary café and gift shop.

“Bringing this semi-vacant underused building into a sustainable and economically viable use under common ownership and operation would bring many public benefits securing its long-term conservation.

“Externally, the proposal includes the replacement of the ground floor shopfronts, glazing and doors with bronze-coloured cladding in shopfront style and stall risers with a featured patterns, the formation of a new central doorway facing onto the market square to serve as the main entrance into the single integrated building and the closure of two other entrances (to become exhibition windows).”

Mr Prideaux told the meeting: "The council’s conservation officer believes that the proposed shopfronts would be of a more appropriate style and design that those existing and would enhance the character and appearance of the buildings in this highly prominent and attractive location."

Committee chair Cllr Judith Addison said the proposed alterations would be a big improvement on the 'garish shop fronts' currently there.