The White Horse, in Burnley Road, is available for lease for £59,950, but in the three months since it closed there has been no sign of it reopening.

The pub, which features the famous 15ft horse on the front, is situated next to Padiham Town Hall and until recently was a popular watering hole in the town since it opened in 1966.

But the current economic crisis and trend of pub closures nationwide has got prominent figures worried.



Mayor of Padiham Coun. Mark Jinkinson said: "The White Horse is a landmark building in Padiham, albeit not a particularly attractive one. In the current climate of pubs shutting every week I think it would be unrealistic to expect it to reopen as a pub."

He went on: "The longer it is left empty the more problematic the building will become. I would just ask the owners to ensure the front aspect is kept tidy."

Coun. John Harbour wants Burnley Council to look at revamping the area leading from the White Horse to the Bridge Inn and confirmed the council's Chief Executive, Steve Rumbelow, has visited the site.

Coun. Harbour said: "There is a lot of potential for future developers in that block. I would like to see that part of the town regenerated, much like the plans for Burnley's Weavers' Triangle."

Rumours the pub was going to be taken over by national chain J.D. Wetherspoons have proved false. The company confirmed to the Padiham Express it was not looking at the White Horse.