A FORMER Barrow Raiders chairman has submitted an application to turn an empty industrial building in the town centre into five self-contained flats.

Steve Johnson, who resigned as chief executive of Raiders in 1995, is behind plans to convert the former judo centre in Clifford Street.

The application states the 100-year-old Lyric Hall building, understood to have formerly been for industrial use, would be converted into five one-bedroom flats with parking for five cars.

The premises was last used as the base for Furness Judo from 1975 to 2003, and has remained empty ever since.

The company behind the plans is Beluto Properties, run by Mr Johnson, his wife Sandra and their son Christopher.

The application states the converted building will include a glazed, two-storey lobby and circulation area.

Each apartment will include a reception room, kitchen, bedroom and en-suite bathroom.

Well-known for his various business ventures, Mr Johnson bought the Geronimos nightclub, which adjoins Barrow Raiders’ Craven Park ground, in 1986 and it went on to be known for its dance nights called Yummy.

However, after it closed in 1995 three fires left the building dangerous and it was demolished in 2015.

Mr Johnson's turbulent six-year reign of Raiders came to an end in 1995 following fierce protests against his plans to demolish the ground and turn it into a bingo hall.

He is also named as director of the Birbeck Pub Company which, along with Beluto Properties, is registered in Fleetwood.