AN 'eyesore' site could be Darwen's next retail centre.

The former Frankie's bar site in Church Street, Darwen has been bought by a local businessman Andy Shorrocks.

Mr Shorrocks, who owns cocktail bar Cin Cin in Church Bank St, bought the site last month and said he plans to turn it into something that will benefit the town.

He said: “I don’t know what we are doing with it yet, it’s a great piece of land but we are still in the really early stages.

“At the moment it’s an eye sore so we’re hoping to get an architect in and get it tidied up.

“That site has planning permission for a hotel to be built on it from the previous owner but there’s no way that would benefit Darwen.

“People keep saying they want a bit of retail, maybe clothing shops.

“It will be over four floors so maybe office space or accommodation.”

Sunnyhurst ward Cllr Dave Smith said he was glad the site had been bought by a local.

He said: "It's excellent news, Andy is a local lad and will be more likely to do something with the land.

"He has already done some developments in the town and he knows what Darwen needs.

"It's great to have someone who is willing to invest in the space and he has lots of ideas for the site.

"Whatever he decides to do with the space will be a smashing addition to the town."

The premises has been empty since they were set alight by arsonists in December 2012.

Following the fire, the site was bought by a Hong Kong based businessman known as Mr Pang in 2015, who bought the former Darwen Central Conservative Club at auction the year before.

Mr Pang had the bar buildings knocked down and obtained planning permission to turn the space into a hotel, much to the distress of residents.

However, no work was ever undertaken following the demolition and the site quickly became a hot spot for fly-tipping.

After a number of failed attempts to contact Mr Pang about the site, council bosses issued a section 215 notice and had the site cleared in February at a cost of £2426.

Cllr Smith said the council would be charging Mr Pang for the clean up.

He said: "All was not as it seemed with Mr Pang.

“I got on to the council and asked them to serve a section 215 on him because the site had become a dumping ground and they were letting it go to rot

“They tidied and will charge it to Mr Pang’s London office.”