Work has begun on a derelict town centre pub to turn it into a cafe or restaurant and flats.

It comes after Hyndburn Council granted planning permission for the scheme at the Duke of Wellington pub off Towngate.

Agents Mellor Dowd Planning Consultants have submitted an application to convert the ground floor of the pub on Blackburn Road into a cafe or restaurant along with part of the first floor function room into two self-contained flats.

Planning officers approved the proposals under delegated powers after no objections were received by authorities, the police or residents.

Documents sent to the council by Mellor Dowd said: “At present the public house premises are closed and the manager’s flat on the first floor is vacant.

“The application will help increase footfall in the town centre through the opening of a new cafe or restaurant.”

Correspondence between the agents and the council reveal that the ‘disco’ area will be converted to make the building feel like more of a ‘local pub’.

The opening hours for the cafe or restaurant have not yet been decided and will be up to the new manager to decide.

Highways officers at the county council raised concerns about the lack of parking around the site, however acknowledged that it was very close to several street car parks.

Great Harwood councillor Gareth Molineux said it was good news that the building is coming back into use.

He added: “The town centre is improving week by week. By extending the conservation area and regenerating the town square I’m hopeful that these improvements will encourage more shops, cafes and bars to come to the town.”