A BAR has been given planning permission to put outdoor seating in Churchgate in Bolton town centre.

An application from The Varsity to put a row of stainless steel tables and chairs on flagstones either side of its main entrance was approved by planning councillors.

Customers will be able to eat and drink in the area between 11am and midnight through the week and until 1am on Saturdays and Sundays.

The outside seating area will also provide a place for customers to smoke once the ban on smoking in public places comes into effect on July 1.

Boundary fencing to surround the tables and chairs was also approved.

The Brass Cat - another Churchgate pub - has also submitted plans for outdoor seating in the street, which has recently been partly pedestrianised as part of a £900,000 upgrade.

Cllr Andy Morgan, who backed The Varsity's plan, said: "This is an appropriate place for this sort of use, particularly given the amount of money we have spent upgrading the area and returning it to its original state.

"It is most welcome in an area that is pretty quiet at the moment."

But Marie Walsh, of the Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe, Churchgate, fears the move could lead to more anti-social behaviour.

She said: "It was always a foregone conclusion that this was going to happen. We will have to clean up all the rubbish, cigarette ends, vomit and urine left outside.

"I thought Churchgate was being returned to its original use and we were going to see market stalls and maybe a fairground here. This town is going to pieces."

A decision is expected on the Brass Cat application by April 19.