WHAT does Blackburn Council intend to do about the condition and fate of the King's Head public house in King Street? It was built in the 1740s and is in a conservation area, but what are they doing about its restoration? Nothing!

Last year, my hopes for its future were uplifted when the For Sale sign was removed and it looked as though it was saved, but nothing has happened.

I presume, like the Pavilions in Church Street, the intentions are to leave them as long as possible, delay offers and negotiations, make out something is being done, until the buildings are no longer safe and have to be demolished - which is what they intended doing in the first place.

In the past 30 years, Blackburn Council has managed to wipe out over three quarters of the town's historic buildings - the sort which other town councils preserve with pride - only to erect concrete monstrosities and car parks, or leave sites as plain grass embankments.

It is an absolute disgrace what the councillors have done and are still doing. But, again, the majority who make these decisions don't even live in Blackburn.

'Blackburn City Challenge' - Working Together, Creating Confidence - what arrogance! What a joke.

STEPHEN HORSFIELD, Lincoln Road, Blackburn.

Footnote: Blackburn Council say that the King's Head premises were previously owned by Thwaites brewery and are now owned by a local private developer.

Following a recent inspection by building and planning control officers, emergency shoring has taken place to prevent the physical collapse of the Freckleton Street elevation.

The owner is taking professional advice with a view to bringing the premises back into use as a public house and has been invited to apply to Blackburn with Darwen Council for a building conservation grant.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.