THE owners of a town centre bar left an eyesore after a fire are to be urged to either knock it down or renovate it.

Franky’s Bar in Church Street, Darwen, was severely damaged by fire after an arson attack in November, 2012.

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More than 40 firefighters tackled the blaze in the bar, formerly Darwen Central Conservative Club, and work was carried out to remove the roof in a bid to make the building safe.

But during a meeting of the Darwen Town Centre Partnership Board (DTCPB), councillors said the ongoing saga at the club needed to be resolved.

The building has been sold at auction twice this year, in June and August, but Land Registry documents show no change of ownership indicating that the sale has fallen through on both occasions. When checked by the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday, the owner was listed as Darwen Central Building LLP, with a registered address at the Spaces Business Centre in Lomeshaye, Nelson.

During the meeting, Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith: “The site is becoming dangerous with bits of masonry loose and in danger of falling off.

“The council’s building control department needs to contact the owners as a matter of urgency in order that the building is made safe.”

And Coun John Roberts added: “Holding on to the site without either demolishing or developing it is unacceptable as it is an eyesore and detracting from the near-by conservation area.”

Board chairman Coun Trevor Maxfield said he would write to the company.

Speaking after the meeting, Will Straw, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Darwen at next year’s election, said: “I am aware of widespread dissatisfaction from many people about the ongoing eyesore in the conservation area where I am opening offices.

“It is critical that the owners take responsibility for cleaning and clearing the site and that we get it on to the market soon so that new tenants can make use of the fantastic location in the town centre.”

No one from Darwen Central Building LLP could be contacted for comment.