The former Prezzo restaurant on St Anne’s Road West could be set for new lease of life after standing empty for over four years. Fylde Council has received a licensing application under the name ‘The Office’. This application outlines that the premises will be open for supply of alcohol seven days a week, 9 a.m. to midnight, along with live music, recorded music and late-night refreshment in the late evenings.

The building was once home to retail outlets and the Sandhills Pub before Prezzo refitted the building and opened its doors in 2014. It closed as Prezzo in 2018 when the restaurant chain closed many of its under-performing outlets throughout the county.

The property, located at 18 – 20 on St Anne’s Road West, was purchased by Bury Council for a million pounds in 2015 – bringing in around £60,000 per year for Bury Council’s coffers while it was occupied. Its current rental value is set at £69,000 per annum. However, the empty property has been costing Bury Council £12,000 per year in running costs since Prezzo left.