A HEALTH food cafe will open in Bolton after councillors dismissed claims by an NHS boss that it would lead to more ‘drug users’ and ‘undesirables’ in the town centre.

The Bolton News reported on Wednesday how Tony Snowden, a manager at the NHS Diabetes Clinic in Chorley Street, wrote to the council complaining the new Nutri Bar could lead to a catalogue of problems in the area if it opened opposite the centre.

They included an increase in litter, over-use of the NHS car park, and a worry the new cafe would 'entice undesirable/drug users to the area'.

But at Thursday’s meeting of the planning committee, members unanimously approved the new venture by 21-year-old Oliver Birchall and welcomed the redevelopment of an empty industrial unit, which had previously been a garage.

Leader of Bolton Council Cllr Cliff Morris said Nutri Bar, which will sell breakfast smoothies, granola, protein pancakes and porridge, would help the authority’s objective to encourage more people to adopt a health lifestyle.

He said: “I’m a bit surprised that the NHS is not more encouraging for more of these businesses to open.”

Deputy leader Cllr Linda Thomas, who is in charge of health at the council, also backed the plans.

“I would have thought the NHS would want more cafes like this to provide for diabetes patients.

“Perhaps it is a conflict of interests, I don’t know.”

Smithills councillor Andrew Martin, who is a freelance fitness instructor, said this was a positive

“I think Bolton could do with a few more healthy options like this, so I’m happy to support it”, he told the committee.

On approving the application, officers included a condition that planning permission would only relate to Mr Birchall for the cafe — to stop a future developer turning the unit into a hot food takeaway.

The eatery will be able to open between 7am and 6pm on Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am until 5pm until Sundays.

The council has also instructed Mr Birchall that he has to try and achieve the standard of ‘excellence’ in the Greater Manchester Healthier Catering Awards with 12 months of opening.

A website for the new cafe has already been set up, listing the menu and can be seen at www.nutri-bar.co.uk.

*Mr Birchall thanked readers of The Bolton News for their comments after his story appeared online, and said the issue between his business and the NHS is now ‘water under the bridge’.

“I’m really happy it’s been approved – we are looking to open in March but it depends on how quickly we can do the work.

“If people are interested in knowing more, the menu is online and there will be details about our opening on Facebook and Twitter.”