TWO landmark Accrington pub premises will up for sale at a major property auction next month.

The vacant Hope and Anchor and tenanted Nag’s Head are amongst the 116 lots available across the north west at the sale at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

Newton-le-Willows-based commercial auctioneers, Pugh and Company, hope to get a good price for the properties following the successful sale of the derelict Barnes on ‘Ritz Corner’ at the junction of Cannon Street and Church Street last month.

Barnfield ward Tory councillor Tony Dobson said he hoped that the two properties would be developed as part of the regeneration of the town centre and its night-time economy.

The three-storey Hope and Anchor, well known as the former base for Accrington Motorcycle Club, includes residential accommodation and a function room on the upper floor.

The Whalley Road premises has a guide price of £40-50,000.

The Nag’s Head, on Blackburn Road, is being sold as a going concern.

It is described in the sale catalogue as a ‘town centre pub and investment opportunity’.

The ground floor trading area and two bedrooms on the first floor produces an annual income of £26,000.

The guide price is £70-80,000.

Coun Dobson, a businessman specialising in the leisure industry, said: “I would hope that these two pubs are sold successfully as part of a regeneration of Accrington town centre and particularly its night-time economy.

“They are both quite significant landmark buildings.

“I just hope the Nag’s Head receives some investment as a result to make the most of its potential as an active pub.

“I would like to see someone take over the Hope and Anchor and develop it either as a pub or for some other suitable purpose.

“The sale of the Barnes furniture store after so many years delighted me and I hope we are seeing the start of something new in terms of breathing extra life into Accrington town centre.

“I am very concerned to see some improvement in the night-time economy there.”

Pugh and Company director Stephen Swainson said: “Investors and developers around Accrington recognise that this is a great time to buy and are snapping up the great deals in the room.”