A TRIPLE whammy of jobs are expected if ambitious plans in Pendle get the go-ahead.

The largest is a major scheme to transform the former Smith & Nephew Hollin Bank Mill site in Brierfield into a shopping complex, creating up to 200 jobs.

The complex would sell carpets, antiques, furniture and other household goods. Alongside it would be a drive-through restaurant and a motel.

In the other separate schemes, planners are being asked to consider schemes to turn the dilapidated Grand Theatre, Nelson, into a pub, and a plan to demolish Springers sports club in Nelson and build a new pub and restaurant, together with a motel.

All three schemes have yet to be considered by councillors.

The company behind the Hollin Bank scheme is Burnley-based Northern Carpet Group, headed by Nelson couple Barry and Susan Lockwood.

Their scheme includes creating a canalside restaurant, craft workshops and up to 400 car parking spaces.

The three-year scheme will start later this year if it gets the go ahead. The first work will be on building a new access road off Churchill Way to Hollin Bank Mill and on to Smith & Nephew's Brierfield Mill.

Pendle Council planning officer Andrew Wiggett said: "The applicants also want to demolish part of the mill to create an open landscapped courtyard."

It is the second proposal to transform an empty Smith & Nephew mill in Pendle in recent weeks. Car dealership giant Sanderson Bramall has applied for permission to turn the company's Stonebridge Mill in North Valley Road, Colne, into a retail and industrial complex. In addition a Nelson businessman wants to transform Yarnspinner's Wharf in Nelson - two miles down the Leeds-Liverpool Canal from Hollin Bank Mill - into a museum and craft centre.

Plans to demolish Springers in Scotland Road to make way for a pub and restaurant called the Drunken Duck were given a boost after the scheme was granted a provisional licence by Reedley magistrates.

The firm behind the scheme, the Devonshire Pub Company, also wants to build a 21-bedroom hotel and offices. A planning application has not yet been submitted.

Details about The Grand scheme are sketchy. Barnoldswick DJ Ricky Gallamore is to appear before Reedley magistrates next month to apply for the provisional granting of a justice's licence.

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