RESIDENTS say they are pressing ahead with their campaign to keep a shut down Accrington workingmen's club closed for good.

They are worried about renewed late-night noise and car parking misery if the boarded-up Dyers and Finishers Club re-opens.

Residents representatives met this week to discuss their concerns with Accrington licensees Peter and Barbara Arbuary, who look set to buy and re-open the Stanley Street premises as a private members' club.

Residents representative Reg Taylor, said: "They put a good case over, but residents around here are not happy. They don't want it full-stop.

"They said it would be a lot quieter but when people leave the club they have no control over them," added Mr Taylor.

He and fellow residents representative Richard Whitworth are meeting tonight with ward councillor Bernard Dawson to discuss residents' concerns.

Mr Taylor said they wanted to find out if there were other possible uses for the building, such as conversion into flats or houses.

Mr and Mrs Arbuary own the Miners Arms, in Blackburn Road, Accrington.

Their offer for the Stanley Street club has been accepted by the brewery, but contracts have not yet been exchanged.

Mr Arbuary said: "We will be operating strictly according to licensing laws so it would be shut at 11pm.

"We would make it a condition of membership that people leave the premises in a quiet and orderly manner.

"We did stress it was licensed premises but, within reason, we would do whatever we could to keep noise down.

"We will run the premises in a professional manner. It will be very orderly and we hope very busy at the same time.

"I know the club has had problems in the past. We hope we can turn it around and make it a nice place for people to drink," he added.

They hope to be open before Christmas and are planning a phased refurbishment.

Mounting debts and lack of trade forced the closure of the Dyers and Finishers last month.

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