A PIECE of Blackburn history will disappear forever when a popular bookstore changes its name.

Seed and Gabbutt, in King William Street, was bought by the Bookland chain ten years ago but kept its familiar name.

Now the store is merging with Sweetens Bookshop, in Lord Square, and both will move into new premises in Ainsworth Street in September.

Bass recently exchanged contracts with Bookland to buy the King William Street store and turn it into an Irish bar.

But their hopes were dashed when licensing justices rejected their application for a licence.

However, Bookland still intends to move, even if Bass lose their appeal to gain a licence.

Richard Elsley, spokesman for Chester-based Bookland, said: "The sale of our existing premises does not affect the timing of the new shop and we do have other parties interested, however I fell that the Bass development should be allowed and hope the the licensing is granted in the near future.

"The new precinct shop will be called Bookland and we hope our larger shop will enable us to get some well known authors to Blackburn."

The shop has served the book-buying public of Blackburn since 1907, starting its life in Preston New Road after being set up by brothers David and John Gabbutt and a Miss Seed.

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