A FORMER Subway restaurant could become part of a major heritage scheme for Blackburn.

Sandwich shop bosses have confirmed that their outlet in Blakey Moor, opposite King George’s Hall, has now closed.

The retailer is instead redirecting customers to their shops in Blackburn Mall and the town’s railway station.

But town hall officials have confirmed that the premises, which require some external improvements, could qualify for assistance under the Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage initiative.

Cllr Phil Riley said the premises, beside the former Ribblesdale Hotel, were not among those already purchased by the borough council.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “At the moment it is not a building currently owned by the council. It is in private hands.

“But it could qualify for a grant under the THI scheme. The upper floor is not in the best of conditions, as anyone can see.”

Last month the Telegraph reported how the council had secured the last remaining shop, a newsagents and mobile phone shop, in the adjacent Blakey Moor parade, ahead of an anticipated redevelopment.

Council bosses have previously indicated that they wish to see a restaurants and cafe development in that quarter, to complement shows at King George’s Hall and the currently under-construction cinema nearby.

n Plans have also been suggested for another Subway close to the entrance to the town’s Tesco supermarket, on land once occupied by the old Duke of Edinburgh pub. The pub was pulled down after a partial collapse in August 2016.