A BOARDED-up pub in Accrington town centre is to reopen as a nightclub after a £150,000 refurbishment.

And it aims to appeal to a better class of customer with a membership card scheme to discourage "undesirables" and a smart, but casual dress code.

Plans for the Railway Hotel, Blackburn Road, Accrington, were revealed at Hyndburn licensing sessions by licensee Keith Stammers who will run the premises. Work on turning the pub into a nightclub is expected to start next week and take around eight weeks to complete.

Entry to the club will cost around £8, but a free membership scheme will entitle card holders to get in for £4.50 and give the club information about ages, addresses and phone numbers.

Mr Stammers said: "That will allow us to control the age of people and the type of clientele.

"We feel it would help towards community spirit in the club. If people are members they tend to look after it better," he added.

It was felt that an £8 charge for non-members would discourage undesirables, said Mr Stammers.

People in scruffy jeans, trainers and baseball caps would not be welcome, and they would be employing doormen from an agency.

Tuesday nights would cater for over 25's or singles, and on Wednesdays the plan is to put on artists and fairly well-known groups possibly from the sixties and seventies, opening from around 8pm to midnight both nights.

Thursday would be for parties like hen parties and birthdays from around 9pm to 2am, and Friday and Saturday disco/dance nights from 9pm to 2am.

Licensing justices granted a provisional special hours certificate for the premises, which will have a dance floor and separate dining area.

Hyndburn Council has already granted a provisional public entertainment licence.

The premises would be closed on a Monday, and only open during the day for private pre-booked functions.

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