Ambitious landlords are bucking the trend in Hyndburn to open up new pubs and bars.
Last week the Observer reported the borough’s pubs were closing at a rate of one a month with 24 pubs and three nightclub closures in two years.
The landlords said the closures were a result of increased taxation, tough tenancy agreements and cheap booze.
But there are a number of tenacious licensees determined to keep the trade alive.
This week the former Railway pub, on Blackburn Road, re-opened as the newly refurbished £100,000 Sports Bar. The Plough, on Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle has also re-opened.
Accrington’s Voodoo Lounge nightclub, which was ravaged by fire in 2004, is set to re-open in September after a two-year absence.
Work is also ongoing at The Bridge, on Henry Street, Church, and it is rumoured the pub will open later this year.
And in July JD Wetherspoons re-opened the former Church Street Regency Bar as The Commercial Hotel.
Weston Castle, the group which owns the Sports Bar, is also planning a major refurbishment of the Queens Hotel pub, on Eastgate.
Coun Tony Dobson, who owns Level One and Bohemia in Accrington, said things are looking up for Hyndburn's pub trade.
He said: "There will still be local pubs closing because there has been a glut of closures back to back, but for places like Accrington I think it will keep getting better.
"We are going to have eight or 10 high quality pubs that will do very well. Accrington will continue to flourish."
Sports Bar landlord Tony Shirley hopes his refurbished bar will be part of a pub circuit attracting people to Accrington.
He said: "I think the trade in Accrington is nice and steady. Wetherspoons has attracted more people into the area and I think we can all benefit from that. I’m looking forward to the Voodoo Lounge opening because I think it will bring more people to the Blackburn Road end of town."
Voodoo Lounge owner Mick Cookson has invested £700,000 into a revamp.
He said: "I think Accrington is definitely getting back on track.
"I have invested a lot of money into Accrington and I will be bringing jobs to the town too because we need 20 staff.
"People want somewhere nice to go out and something more upmarket than the average pub.
"I think high quality bars and pubs is the way forward for Hyndburn."
Meanwhile Hyndburn’s MEP is urging the government to consider a Royal commission investigation of the pub trade.
UKIP North West MEP Paul Nuttall said: "I have spent a considerable time investigating the reasons for the decline of the great British pub and with pubs closing at a stupendous rate of 28 a week it is vital that urgent action is taken."
Inez Ward, chairman of British Pub Week, said: "Pubs are important to communities and for social cohesion, are of a benefit to the national economy and tourism. It is imperative that there is now a full and independent investigation."
