A LANDMARK hotel in the centre of a market town could be brought back into use after being purchased by a local property developer.

Abid Jan has promised to restore the 1830 building The Queens Arms in Rawtenstall - previously used as a Town Hall, Court House, and Masonic Lodge - to 'its former glory'

Plans have been submitted to Rossendale Council to turn the Georgian building from a pub and night club into restaurant and four two-bedroomed flats.

The 1830-built hotel has been shut for many months and is now in a state of disrepair.

The application has been welcomed by Rossendale Council leader Cllr Alyson Barnes and local Longholme ward councillor Steve Hughes.

Mr Jan, of Newchurch-in-Rossendale, bought the pub at auction in February when it was put up for sale with a guide price of between £150,000 and £175,000.

Now he has applied for permission to change the use of the Grade II-listed building - once home to The Cube Nightclub -from pub to ground floor restaurant/cafe and four apartments on the first and second storeys.

A supporting statement from agent Ben Edmondson of edmondson design services in Bacup says: "The building formerly known as The Queens Arms and Cube Nightclub is a Grade II listed building and sits in a prominent location within the Town Centre. The site sits on the corner of Bank Street/St Mary’s Way, Haslingden Road and Bacup Road and opposite St Mary’s Church, The War Memorial and Library Buildings all of which are grade II listed buildings or historical monuments.

"The building is currently vacant and is in a poor state of repair. Ground floor windows have been boarded up for several years

"The site forms an important building when entering the town centre and should be brought back to its former glory.

"The building is an imposing structure, and has a grand entrance, however time has not been kind."

Cllr Barnes said: "The Queen's Arms is a historic landmark building on one of the main entrances to Rawtenstall.

"It is good someone wants to bring it back in use and invest in the town centre."

Longholme ward's Cllr Steve Hughes said: "This is good news. The Queen's Arms is an iconic building in Rawtenstall town centre.

"I look forward to its revival."

Mr Edmondson says the restoration of the pub will keep key architectural and internal features including ceramic tiles and original stained glass window on a rear stairwell.

He adds: "The proposal will in no way detract from the grade II listed building, but given the current state of repair, will only enhance the location '

"The proposal provides much needed housing and accords with town centre living."

The site has eight parking spaces at its rear.