A VICTORIAN town centre pub is to be converted into a cafe, offices and three flats.

The Old Red Lion Hotel in Manchester Road, Burnley, has been empty since 2017.

The Grade II heritage listed building, built in 1865, is a three-storey large stone-built building within the primary shopping area in Burnley town centre.

Borough planners have granted permission for the conversion by Fenris Investments to go ahead.

Supporting documents for the successful application said: "The site has previously been used as a public house with offices above.

"Recently planning permission and listed building consent was granted for the change of use of the property from a public house to estate agents at ground floor and offices to upper floors.

"It a listed building and is located within the Burnley Town Centre Conservation Area.

"Prior to the submission of the previous applications, the public house had struggled financially and had been marketed from 2017 onwards.

"The loss of the public house was demonstrated and accepted in the determination of the previous applications.

"Full planning permission is sought for the conversion of the ground floor to office and a coffee shop, with the conversion of the first and second floors to three flats.

"The scheme includes one four bedroom apartment and two three bedroom apartments.

"Each of the flats have access to a bathroom, living area and kitchen area. The four-bedroom apartment is located on the second floor.

"The application will require the removal of an internal staircase and changes to two window openings.

"In design terms, there are no physical external changes visible from the front or side of the building which are the main publicly accessible areas.

"The proposal will support vibrant and healthy communities by:

"• Providing new housing;

"• Ensuring new homes are delivered in a sustainable location;

"• Increasing use and demand for public services; and

"• Increasing opportunities for town centre living.

"The Old Red Lion is located at the junction of Manchester Road and St James Street. The adjacent property is the Swan.

"The original 18th Century Old Red Lion was demolished in 1865 by the council with the site ear-marked for a new town hall.

"However this plan was abandoned, and the existing Old Red Lion building was constructed in 1865 when Manchester Road was widened."