FASHION giant Primark has been given the go-ahead to double the size of its store in Crompton Place - and seal off the shopping centre's Bradshawgate entrance.

Councillors approved the retailer's plans after hearing the expansion was crucial to stop the Bolton store being "over-shadowed" by those in Wigan and Oldham.

The decision ends a lengthy stand-off between Primark and Bolton Council and paves the way for 51 more jobs to be created at the store.

Bolton Council's planning committee had asked the company to reconsider sealing off an entrance into the shopping centre from Bradshawgate when it expands the present store into several vacant units.

They feared it would stop people shopping in Bradshawgate and also cause problems for those catching buses.

Steven Proudley, speaking for Primark, said the company's architects had considered other options but they would mean either scaling down floorspace, having more than one exit from the store, or causing disruption to the car park and other retailers. He said Bolton was one of the smallest of the company's 132 stores with its 8,600 sq ft retail space only allowing "a restricted product line to be sold".

He said that increasing it to 21,500 sq ft by closing the Bradshawgate entrance would "benefit the town centre into securing new retailers by improving footfall levels".

Mr Proudley insisted however that "at no time had it been Primark's intention to vacate the town centre" where it has had a presence since 1997.

Cllr Andrew Morgan said he supported the application because "this side of Bradshawgate is screaming out for regeneration".

"A key tenant is going to extend and this shows it views Bolton as the future. I think it will bring more people into the store and improve footfall to all the shops," he said.

Cllr John Walsh said the council only had power to give permission for Primark to change the front of the units it wants to extend into, and not the closing of the entrance.

He added that all the planning committee could do was encourage Primark to look at other options and that is what the had done.

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris also backed the plans. He said: "I take the view that Bradshawgate would still be open and accessible by the Pack Horse. Let's not forget this is bringing twice as much shopping space into use."

But Cllr Laurence Williamson said he feared the loss of access would have "a negative effect on other shops in Bradshawgate".

He said: "It will be cut off and I don't think that's a good thing."

The plans were approved by a majority vote with the condition that the store's new front is illuminated 24 hours a day and does not have shutters.

7:41am Friday 16th May 2008

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