A POPULAR former Blackburn pub is set to become a cafe bar — but without a planned shisha room.

The Malt and Hops pub, Barton Street, which has historically drawn in the student crowds has been shut for around a year.

Pub Company Enterprise Inns sold it to a private owner in March 2010 and, following the sale, the venue was closed to the public.

Earlier this week, a planning application to change a rear single-storey building close to Blackburn College into shisha room surrounded by a wall was withdrawn by the new owners.

Architect Younus Khan declined to comment about the application but confirmed that the venue would no longer serve alcoholic drinks.

He said: "At the moment it is being gutted and we are in discussion with the planning department but it will definitely not be used as a pub.

“It will be used as a cafe bar.”

The ground floor will be retained as a drinking establishment serving soft drinks and hot beverages with the first floor becoming a residential area for the new owner's family.

At the height of its popularity, Malt and Hops regularly became the focus of attention for beer fans, playing host to a series of mini-festivals.

It was also very popular with students.

Local publican and entrepreneur, Margot Grimshaw, said it was sad to see another pub disappearing.

She said: “I think it is essential to have these pubs open to bring in people so that they can socialise.

"I am trying to get a plan together to revitalise Blackburn's nightlife and when I hear news like this it makes me sad.

"If we are not careful we are not going to have anywhere left for people to go to in the evenings.”