A ONCE thriving music venue is to be knocked down at the end of the month.

The Moses Gate, in Bolton Road, Farnworth will be demolished by construction firm GM Properties on Wednesday, May 31.

The two-storey pub, in Bolton Road, had fallen into dereliction since closing its doors for the final time in March last year.

But at the height of its popularity the venue was renowned for hosting local bands, top rock tribute acts and music festivals.

GM Properties intends to submit a planning application to build housing on the site but. to date, has yet to lodge it.

Farnworth ward councillors have said the razing of the building will be a ‘sad day’, despite it recently falling into disrepair.

Councillor Jean Gillies said: “It’s a dying trade, it’s so sad. It used to be thriving round there years ago, it was a good night out but it’s been closed a long time.

“It used to be a rock venue and then was left empty. For ages it’s been derelict and boarded up. But it’s sad to see it go after so many years.

“There aren’t many venues which put stuff on like that. It’s a sad decline, I’ve seen it myself in the clubs having been a club singer for many years.”

But Cllr Gillies hopes the site may be used for high quality new social housing.

She added: “It’s an eyesore and it’s a mess, I don’t think its ever going to be revitalised but my concern is what’s going to be built there afterwards.

“Social housing would be great. Not bedsits but social housing for people that desperately need it, that’s what I would like to see.”

Councillor Noel Spencer also told of his sadness over the loss of the venue.

He said: “It’s a very sad day. I used to live just a few yards up the road from the old Moses Gate and had many happy memories. I’ve not been in for a while but to see it close is a really sad occasion.

“I have some really wonderful memories of lunches, evenings and music there. Loads of acts played there and it was always well attended, they were good nights.

He added: “One of the things I didn’t expect, and I know pubs have been closing all over the place, is for the building to be demolished.

“I was hoping it would be refurbished and brought back into use, but that’s obviously not going to happen now.”