A former newspaper building will now contain offices as well as housing in its proposed redevelopment.

The basement of Wigan Observer’s former headquarters is to be transformed into office space.

It comes after work for the site to be converted into 18 flats began last year, and the basement has been used as cycle storage space.

The red brick premises still bears the name ‘The Observer Building’, although the paper hasn’t been based there since the 1970s.

According to the Observer, developer Neil Pike Architects is hoping the new move “will bring more job opportunities to the area”.

A planning report adds: “The application relates to the basement level of the building.

“It is proposed to subdivide the basement into four office units.

“Cycle storage for the upper floor apartments will also be retained within the basement. Internal access into the basement is possible from ground floor level directly off two existing staircases within the building.

“External access into the building is existing from street level. No external changes to the building are proposed.”