Flats move to get pub buzzing again
BILL JACOBS
AFORMER town centre pub popular with young people could be given new life as a block of flats.
A developer has applied for planning permission to turn the former Bees Knees in St James Street, Accrington into 13 apartments.
Hyndburn Council has been asked to approve the change of use from licensed premises into 11 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom flats on three floors.
The 120-year-old purpose-built pub at the corner with Holme Street and Dutton Street has been closed since May 2018.
Hyndburn Council leader Coun Miles Parkinson has given the plan a qualified welcome - provided the flats are highquality.
The application has been submitted by David Howell, of Bees Knees Development Ltd in Penny Lane, Liverpool.
Planning statements submitted by Craig Buck of The Intelligent Design Centre in Eagle Street, Accrington, said: “The proposal is to convert this vacant building into apartments which will bring the building back into use and enable it to be repaired and preserved as a heritage asset as part of the town centre conservation area.
“The proposal would see 13 apartments created, 11 one-bedroom and two twobedroom.
“The building ceased trading as public house in May 2018. Since then the current owners have tried to find a new operator to run the pub but this has proved unsuccessful.
“The building was, as far as we can ascertain, constructed as a public house around 1900, and compromises a nightclub and public house on the lower two floors and residential accommodation on the first floor.
“The applicant’s interest is to repair and reinstate this heritage asset and bring the building back into use for a purpose that is sustainable for the future, and therefore prevent the building from becoming dilapidated.
“The client has had discussions with several of the local estate agents in order to identify the demand for apartments in the local area. This exercise concluded one-bedroom apartments were most sought after.”
Coun Parkinson said: “It was a very popular young people’s pub in its day.
“I even went to the establishment many years ago. The whole idea of town centres are going to have to change.
“Bringing people into town centres to live and make them their own is part of that change.
“What we want is good living spaces not rabbit hutches.
“I shall be looking very closely at this application. We need quality flats, not bedsits in Accrington town centre.”