An East Lancashire brewery has seen its application for an extension at a pub which closed in March given the go ahead.

The Hare and Hounds Inn, in Skipton Old Road, Foulridge, is to get a new entrance lobby at the rear of the pub, an extension to its existing entrance lobby to the front of the building, and reconfiguration of its beer garden by removing an existing shelter and installing new metal fencing to replace an existing wooden one.

The plans, submitted by Blackburn-based Daniel Thwaites PLC, which owns the boozer, will see the floorspace of the building increased by just four square metres.

The pub closed in March with pub manager ProPubs, which ran the venue for four years, citing quarterly energy bills of £14,000 among a number of reasons for leaving, which also included the pub not being viable and its location being less than ideal.

ProPubs managing director, Tom Davies, did say however the pub was well-loved.

The front extension to the entrance lobby would make the doorway slightly deeper with the existing single entrance door replaced with double doors. The inner entrance door would also be replaced with double doors.

The rear extension would create a double doored entrance from the beer garden which would give room guests at the inn keyed out-of-hours access.

Internally it would also see a wall removed and replaced with a single door providing access into the pool room from the rear lobby.

Another wall and door – leading from the main bar into the pool room – will be removed and a log-burning stove is also set to be removed in the main bar.

Another door in the pool room is being filled in as part of the renovations and the bar also looks set to be freshened up, and front windows will be replaced.

Externally a canopy at the back of the beer garden will be taken down, with new lighting put up hanging over the garden, and fencing replaced.

The pub’s car park, which has space for eight vehicles, will not be affected by the extensions.

Kathryn Todd, clerk of Foulridge Parish Council, said it “fully supports the application”, and Pendle Council approved the plans.