A LISTED building dating back to 1780 will be turned into office space for financial services.

The Grant Arms in Ramsbottom, formerly a public house, restaurant and hotel, has been vacant for more than 12 months.

Two applications submitted by financial firm IFA relating to the partial conversion of the building were approved at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday night.

CEO of IFA Ltd, Phillip Rose, said Ramsbottom needs to make a statement that it is "open for business" mentioning the recent closures of Kay Soaps, Georgia Pacific and three banks in the town.

He said: "This planning application ensure the Grant's name will be retained and the building will be sympathetically renovated.

"The historic Grade II listed lady will be lovingly restored to give The Grant Arms a new lease of life, to stand proudly over the Market Place as a visual reminder of the area's cultural heritage once again."

Andrew Todd, president of Ramsbottom Heritage Society (RHS), spoke against the application, arguing that there is a future for the Grant's arms as a pub and hotel.

He said the building has been "actively neglected" and claimed an individual who made an offer to buy it was told it was not for sale.

RHS submitted evidence that Wetherspoons twice showed interest, first in leasing and later in buying the ground floor.

However, planning officers said this had no relevance to the determination of this change of use application.

Mr Todd told the meeting that the town has a shortage of hotels and mentioned that the building was previously in regular used by 30 community groups.

He said: "We recognise this pub as an asset of community value as a pub. We suggest to offer the Grant for sale as a hotel for six months. Ensure that this community facilities is returned as a community facility."

One application included details of internal and external alterations to the building to which a condition was added requiring that the sign located on the front elevation shall be retained.

In addition, the clock above the sign will be restored.

The second application, seeking listed building consent, was also amended to say that no development or work will be carried out until a phasing plan has been submitted to the local authority.

Five councillors voted in favour of both applications which were recommended for approval, with three councillors voting against them.

At the meeting, committee chair Cllr Catherine Preston, confirmed an appeal for an application to demolish The Grant Arms has been dismissed.