TWO friends are hoping to breathe new life into Blackburn’s night time economy by opening two upmarket venues.

Work is under way to transform a pair of town centre pubs – The Grapes, Northgate, and The White Bull, Church Street.

And the move has been welcomed by the town’s trade chiefs who said a vibrant nightlife was good for Blackburn.

The men behind the project are Jamie Harvey, 27, and Dan Gardner, 25, of Great Harwood, who own entertainment company Super Social.

Jamie said: “Blackburn’s nightlife has hit rock bottom and we want to revitalise it.

“We know that there are people in the town and surrounding areas who want somewhere to go in the town centre but are not being catered for.”

Opening night for the venues will be December 13, with The Grapes becoming a stylish bar called The Residence, and the White Bull, renamed the Snug Club, providing a “swanky location” for revellers who want somewhere to go until the early hours.

The young entrepreneurs are the brains behind the Loaded New Year’s Eve parties, in their fourth year at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-Le-Moors.

These party nights led Jamie and Dan to realise there was a demand for more upmarket bars and clubs and have given them the impetus to open the two venues.

Jamie said: “Working on The Residence every day you realise certain bars get quite a lot of trade from the professional workers in the area and we will try and tap into that.

“We want to provide a nice setting and a comfortable environment that people can relax in.”

An application has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council for a 6am licence at Snug Club but the pair said this would only be used on certain occasions.

David Cottam, president of Blackburn Chamber of Trade, said: “A vibrant night life is good for any town as long as it is policed properly.

“Anything that helps lifts spirits in Blackburn is something I’m all in favour of.”

Council leader Colin Rigby said: “If these are upmarket bars catering for the right crowd then I welcome them.”