AN application to turn a former opticians' to a restaurant have been given the go ahead.

Planning permission is in place to convert the property in St Helen's Road into an eatery.

This comes after Clear Vision moved to the Eye Site Express premises across the road, doubling its roster of patients.

The plans, originally submitted in April, were withdrawn by the landlord after he was approached by The Bolton News.

Optometrist Mohammed Jiva originally opposed the application but has since handed in his notice.

Eye Site Express was set to close as its was about to retire after thirty years of running the business.

Mr Jiva has now agreed to take over the practice which would see the number of patients on his books double as he brings his 2,000 NHS patients with him.

Clear Vision was due to move to the former Eye Site Express premises on August 1.

Mr Jiva, who currently employs four members of staff, will be looking to employ another person on a full-time basis to cope with the additional patients he will be serving.

The premises could be converted to a restaurant if the latest plans are approved.

The new business would be family run, according to the planning agent, but the plans reveal no further details.

Sohail Musa of SMS Architecture said the applicant is not looking to open a takeaway restaurant, given the many to-go eateries already in the area.

He said: "He's trying to do a more gourmet-style menu. He's not going for a takeaway. He needs to do something a bit different."

Internal changes are expected to get underway immediately now that the plans are approved.

Town hall planners approved the application on Friday.