A DISUSED club once described as a ‘blight’ on the community looks set to be reborn after developers cited an intention to re-open it.

Town Hall officers confirmed that Colne Conservative Club was now in the hands of developers who intend to re-open the landmark.

But they have told the owners that before the club can serve drinkers, they must first remove an illegal smoking shelter at the back.

The club has lain empty for almost three years, which prompted concerns from councillors who feared it was falling into disrepair.

Last year Conservative Coun George Askew described it as a ‘blight’ on people living in Albert Road.

Yesterday he said he would be interested to see any plans to spruce-up the site, which is located at a gateway to the town.

Conservative Coun Violet Vaughan said she would welcome any project, which would breathe new life into the landmark building.

She said: “As the Conservatives for Colne, that’s where we used to go for some meetings up until about a couple of years ago.

“It’s a bit of an eyesore at the moment.”

The club, which closed in 2007, had been designated as a ‘problem site’ by Pendle Council’s Colne Committee in an attempt to put pressure on its owners, who at the time were its members, to restore the premises to their former glory.

Waterside Coun Tony Greaves said it was no longer affiliated to the Conservative Party.

He said: “I would be very keen to see it brought back into use for something and as a club it would not need planning permission.

“My only concern would be if it opens as a club any nuisance to neighbours. We would leave it to the Licensing Committee to establish suitable conditions. You have got to be reasonable about these things and we would encourage responsible ownership.”