COUNCILLORS voted unanimously in favour of proposals to turn a pet food store into a pub owned by national chain JD Wetherspoon.

The planning committee in St Helens gave the green light to the transformation of the Nadin Pet Supplies building in Earlestown.

Speaking at the hearing, case officer Alan Kilroe stated the venture received 15 letters of support.
One read: “This is a positive move forward for Earlestown and could open it up to further development and modernisation.

“Also Wetherspoon will keep the original character of the building and not detract from it unlike other developments that have recently been allowed in the Newton-le-Willows area which have bulldozed local sites of architectural and historical importance.”

Objections related to worries over the impact of parking, anti-social behaviour and noise.
Mr Kilroe concluded: “It is not considered that this will have a harmful impact on residents and the proposal will not have an impact on the highway network.”

Environmental health stated they had been assured that amplified music does not feature in the proposal.

The proposals were given the green light by a unanimous vote. Cllr Richard McCauley said: “I think it would help that part of the borough. It’s a good use for that part of the building to turn it into something people will use.”

Councillor Quinn, while supporting the plans, did raise concern over the possibility of smokers being drawn to the front of the building although no objection from environmental health has been made.

The pub chain already has two pubs in St Helens town centre, The Running Horses and The Glass House.