A historic town centre pub is to get three sets of bedsit accommodation on its upper floors.

The Grade II-listed Old Red Lion Hotel in Manchester Road, Burnley, already has the upmarket Real Coffee Bean shop on its ground floor which opened in August.

Owner Charlotte Hagan sells ethically sourced coffee seven days a week.

In April 2002, Burnley Council granted planning permission to convert the three-storey Victorian property, built in 1865, which ceased operation as a pub in 2017, into a café, offices and three flats.

Now Chris Hagan, of the Real Big Group Ltd in the town, has been given approval to vary that permission and convert the proposed first-floor apartments into two three-bedroom houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and the second-floor flat into a four-bedroom HMO.

A supporting planning statement submitted with the application says: "There are no internal or external physical works proposed by this application

"The site has previously been used as a public house with offices above.

"Recently planning permission and listed building consent were granted and implemented for the change of use of the property from a public house to estate agents/coffee shop on the ground floor and three apartments on the upper floors.

"Given the site's location within the town centre, there are many services within walking distance of the site, ranging from supermarkets, gyms, church, doctor surgery, retail shops and schools.

"The application site is a listed building and is located within the Burnley Town Centre Conservation Area.

"Full planning permission is sought for the conversion of the first and second floor apartments to three individual HMOs.

"The scheme includes one four-bedroom property and two three-bedroom properties.

"Each of the property has access to a bathroom, living area and kitchen area.

"The four-bedroom property is located on the second floor.

"Whilst there have been a number of conversions of first floors within the town centre to apartments, there are no other HMOs within 100 metres of this property, and whilst it will introduce more than two HMO they will be contained within one building.

"The Old Red Lion is an important heritage asset and is identified as being a building of high significance.

"The site is a suitable and appropriate location for conversion to form apartments to three HMO introducing additional opportunities for town centre living."