PLANS have been submitted to turn a Ribble Valley pub and restaurant into five homes.

The Newdrop Inn, off Higher Road, Ribchester, has been run by John and Sue Barr since 1982 and, after trying to sell the business, they have submitted an application to turn it into houses.

The restaurant attracted people from miles around for its Sunday lunches and family celebrations.

Mr and Mrs Barr posted on The Newdrop Facebook page, saying: “Many of you will know we have wanted to retire for a number of years and that we have been trying to sell the business.

“There has been no interest so we have looked at many options to make the property more interesting to prospective purchasers.”

They provided an update, saying ‘they were not re-opening’. A report to planners said that they tried to get a market sale in 2015 and 2018.

The report added: “No market interest was however shown for the site and with profits falling the applicant feels they have no choice but to seek an alternative use for the site.”

It also was mentioned that the applicants contacted a number of businesses with an interest in public houses and restaurants but no buyer was found.

The business was on the market for £1.25million and was said to have an annual turnover of around £800,000.

The report added that the development will create a ‘high-quality modern scheme which enhances the quality of the area while respecting the historic fabric of the longstanding public house’.

Cllr Alison Brown, who represents the Ribchester ward, said: “The Newdrop Inn has been a family favourite for us, with many Christenings, gatherings when people have been visiting and just meals.

“I can understand the reasons why they have had to close.

“It also was popular wedding venue.

“It is sad in a way that places like this have to go but it was a bit out of the way.

“I think it is good that something is going to be done with it rather than it go derelict.

“We have got the Hall Arms which has been turned into business use and office space and it is thriving now.

“It is still a shame as I know a lot of people who will have happy memories up there and the food in there was of a very high standard.”