PLANS to convert a school uniform shop into a wine bar in Golborne town centre have been approved.

Notice of the go-ahead for the change of use of the former ‘Impressions’ on High Street has been posted on Wigan Council’s planning portal.

The building, owned by Darryl Latham, of Golborne Leisure Ltd, is currently empty and is at the end of a row of six shops including a taxi office.

It has two storeys with the upper residential accommodation unoccupied. 

READ > More than 50 arrested, cash and firearm seized on day of action

The building also has a a rear yard which will be transformed into an external drinking area and bin storage. 

An officer’s report said that no external works are proposed to the existing building. 

“The premises will be accessed from the front in the same way as existing,” it said. “ Internally the building will be modelled to include a bar area, toilets and seating areas.”

Conditions imposed with planning consent stipulate the wine bar will not open except during the following hours: Internal bar area Monday to Friday 8am hours to 12 midnight; Saturday 8am to 1am; Sunday/public holidays 8am to 11pm; beer garden Monday – Sunday 8am to 9pm. 

The report said: “The building sits within a town centre and is surrounded by commercial uses. 

“There is a residential property within the upper floors of the buildings, however, this is vacant. It is also within the ownership of the applicant and who has advised that it is not intended to be let out again as a residential property.

“There are other residential properties at upper floor level along High Street, but as the site is within the town centre, which includes a number of drinking establishments and hot food takeaways, all of which are open late into the evening, there is both existing regular vehicular and pedestrian activity within the area and already a degree of background noise during the evening from the surrounding uses.”

There were no objections to the application.