Former Barnstormer pub in Middlebrook to become nursery

The Barnstormer, on Lostock Lane in Middlebrook, has been vacant for several years now in sharp contrast to its one-time popularity amongst Bolton Wanderers fans.

But the building could soon be sent to be occupied again after plans were approved to transform the empty building into a new children’s nursery.

Cllr David Grant, of Horwich South and Blackrod, said: “It’s always been a bit out of the way, it was more of a football pub back in the day, but its been vacant for quite a while now.

“If its being revived now as a children’s nursery that’s really positive for the area though, its always good to see a vacant building being brought back to use and we’ve certainly got no shortage of drinking establishments!”

The plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: Neil Pike Architecture)

“We’ve got a lot of major developments around that area so more facilities for children will be really welcome.”

Before the latest plans were put forward the Lostock Lane pub had been assumed to have been permanently shut, having closed its doors for the last time in 2021.

The bid to change the empty building into a children’s nursery was first put before Bolton Council in January this year.

The building could be revived as a nursery (Image: Neil Pike Architecture)

Now council officers have judged that given the pub has already closed, they have no concerns about the loss of community facilities.

A report said: “The application proposes the change of use of a former public house to provide a children’s nursery.

“Whilst this would represent a loss of a community facility, it is noted that the public house has already ceased trading and the building is vacant, since 2021.

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“Furthermore, there are other public houses located close by, Beehive, the bars at Middlebrook and Waggon & Horses.

“In this regard it is not considered that the proposal will result in the unnecessary loss of a valued facility or reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day need.

“Furthermore, the proposed change of use of the building to a children’s nursery will allow the building to be repurposed into another form of community facility.”

Bolton Council announced that it had approved the plan on Monday April 8.