Plans to convert former pub into shops
COUNCILLORS have given their views on proposals to convert a former town centre pub into three shops and a flat.
The Duke of Wellington in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, was shut because of breaches of coronavirus rules after a joint operation between Lancashire County Council, the police and licensing officers at Hyndburn Council in August 2020.
A few days later owners
Baron and Douglas voluntarily relinquished the alcohol licence.
Applicant Jabbar Ahmed has now applied for planning permission to convert the vacant building, as we first reported in February.
He wants to turn it from a bar to three retail shop units on the ground floor a flat on the first floor.
Overton ward Independent representative Cllr Pat McGinley said: “I would certainly like to see the building brought back into use. However, it only has one main entrance so I wonder how it can be converted into three shops on the ground floor.
“I would like to see more details about the proposed final usage. It is on a busy roundabout so parking could be difficult.
“It appears that renovations are taking place.”
When the pub was ordered to shut for breaching Covid-19 guidelines at 7pm on August 14, 2020 it was the first such order in Lancashire. Since then it has remained closed.
Cllr Noordad Aziz, Labour councillor from the neighbouring Netherton ward, said: “It is in a conservation area.
“Given that the pub was a problem during Covid, provided the rules are met I think it is a positive step.”
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Lancashire County
Council’s public health director, said at the time of the closure order that there had been ‘a lack of social distancing’ at the Duke of Wellington rendering customers unsafe.
The manager of The Duke of Wellington at the time of the closure accused the authorities of ‘a witch hunt’ in closing his pub.
Mr Ahmed was not immediately available for comment.