The former Spar on Hough Lane has been lying empty since the store and post office moved out last year.

A planning application has now been submitted to South Ribble Council for a change of use from a shop to a pub – raising hopes Wetherspoons could move in.

The 1,484 sq ft office space and retail area is being marketed by Preston-based commercial estate agent Parker and Company.

Last week, the firm said it hoped the building would be occupied within the next six months, but has not confirmed Wetherspoon's interest.

Roger Parker, from the company, said: "We are talking to a few people at the moment. Plans to turn the building into a pub are just a contingency at the moment. It's all still up in the air. That is all I can say at the moment."

A spokesman for Wetherspoons said: "We are still in negotiations about the site.

"We remain very keen and plans have been submitted to change the usage of the building, but things haven't progressed much further. In terms of a time scale, we really don't know yet."

Local shopkeepers have welcomed the plans, saying a new pub in the area will bring more life to the town.

Paul Atkinson, from Atkinson's Jewellers, said: "It will be ideal. On a Saturday afternoon, Leyland gets very quiet.

"It will keep Leyland busy."

Mr Atkinson said the pub's reputation for selling cheap booze did not put him off.

"From what I hear, they don't play loud music and they don't show live football so I don't think you'll get people being rowdy in the street,"
he said.

"Having a big player here is going to get other shops coming in.

"We have pubs at either end of the town but nothing in the middle at the moment.

"This is definitely what we need," added Mr Atkinson.

Leanne Gudgeon, 20, of Hair 4 U 2, in Hough Lane, said: "I think we could do with a pub at this end of town.

"It's a prominent building and it's not great that it's empty."

Her colleague, 19-year-old Nicola Wynne, said: "The plan will make the area a bit more modern.

"It will bring more people into Hough Lane and Leyland generally."