A NEW dance music promotion has sprung up in the heart of Darwen.

Project Darwen is the latest addition to the town’s flourishing evening economy, taking over the former Sky Bar, in Wellington Fold.

But a borough councillor has voiced concerns that there may be many too many licensed premises opening up locally.

Manchester-based promoters Secret Events are behind the temporary attraction, which launched last weekend and runs from 11pm to 6am.

Six more dance nights are pencilled in for the venue, just a stone’s throw away from Big House Blues and Big House Rock, with Damien Oldham and Allied Minds appearing on Friday and A.N.T, Rennox and Trax Shnn lined up for Saturday.

The pub has had a number of incarnations in recent years, with Sky Bar said to have closed after a disagreement between the licensees and the building’s landlord.

Before that the hostelry traded as both Funhouse and Bar Java.

Cllr Roy Davies, who represents Darwen East ward, said: “I’ve not seen any request for a new licence so I don’t know whether they are operating under an existing one.

“My own personal feelings are that in Darwen we have got a lot of places that sell alcohol and I think to be honest there are enough.

“Some of these licences are getting to be a little over the top.”

In the past few years Darwen, in contrast to Blackburn, has seen a proliferation in new bars and craft ale outlets. The owners of one of the breakout attractions, Number 39, the Hopstar Brewery Tap, in Bridge Street, announced earlier this year they are looking for new owners to take over in the New Year.