A BRIDALWEAR shop can go ahead with its desired relocation — after councillors voted to put a stop to efforts to manoeuvre it into the town centre.

Council planning officers had wanted to refuse plans from Bridalwear by Emma Louise to move from Wigan Road to Chorley New Road, instead putting forward a variety of other sites within the town centre.

But after the business rejected those alternatives — saying that areas like Bradshawgate were inappropriate for a high-end bridal shop — planning committee members have now given the proposals the green light.

Shop owner Emma Salisbury told a town hall meeting today that she would have been forced to leave Bolton if the move to the vacant site in Chorley New Road did not go ahead.

She said: "This is our family business that we have brought up through a lot of hard work.

"We want to bring something special to Bolton and make Bolton the place to come for a wedding dress.

"If you refuse this application, it would be a serious blow to our business."

She added that a 12-year lease is agreed in principle for the new site and that the shop will be open to customers by appointment only.

Cllr Linda Thomas said that she 'could not think of a more perfect site' for the bridalwear shop and that she wanted to see properties like this one, which has stood empty for two years, brought back into use.

Her Labour colleague, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, said the role of the committee was to 'ensure common sense prevails' in cases like this.

Cllr Nick Peel said that planning officers had been 'a bit too strict' in their interpretation of council policy, stating that the new £1 billion masterplan for the town centre did not justify their stance.

He added: "Our masterplan for Bolton town centre hopes to attract new businesses and growing businesses from outside the borough. That is key — it is not about taking businesses in Bolton and moving them into the town centre."

Cllr Andy Morgan said: "The people best placed to decide what is best for businesses are the business owners. We should not be putting people off investing in Bolton."

The applicant had rejected around 30 other sites for reasons including price, size, parking facilities, and being located next to pubs, betting shops, and takeaways.