Restaurant bid for former town pub

The Sandhills, in the Square, St Annes, could become an Italian-themed eatery after a licence application by London-based company Bexgrange Ltd was lodged with Fylde Council.

The bar has been closed since December after the pub’s parent company went into administration.

John Moxham, chairman of St Annes Chamber of Trade, said any new business would help to improve the town’s high street.

He added: “I suppose we now have Tiggis, Margherita and other Italians – what harm will one more do in town. It is much better than being an empty retail unit.

“It is in prime spot in the Square and I just hope it stays open all day.

“What we do not need in town is just another pub. Hopefully it will bring jobs too.”

The Sandhills shut its doors at a day’s notice in December after the Smith and Jones-branded pub’s parent company, the Bramwell Group, went into administration.

A spokesman for Bexgrange Ltd said the planned venue would serve hot and cold food, aimed at the “mid-market restaurant sector.”

If agreed to by Fylde Council, the venue could reopen as a restaurant later this year.