A Kearsley newsagent is allowed an alcohol licence amid opposition from some of its next-door neighbours.

The applicant, Nithin Kumar, applied for an alcohol licence for Kearsley News and Wines over the summer.

The application was to be allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 6am and 10.30pm then, after an amendment, to sell alcohol between the hours of 8am and 10.30pm at the newsagent on Manchester Road. The newsagent, an ex-Post Office, is in the middle of a row of properties on the main road.

There was opposition from some of its next-door neighbours as well as the licensing officer Garry Lee at a committee of councillors David Chadwick, Debbie Newall and Maureen Flitcroft at the town hall on October 18.

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Ian Rushton, for Mr Kumar, said: "The applicant has a six-year lease so he is committed. 

"He has a clear record and no convictions so the police have no issues with the applicant."

Mr Lee, from Bolton Council, said: "I know the area and I know it was a Post Office many, many years ago. It is in a row of terraced houses and it is foolish to think there is no impact on the residents of the terraced houses.

"They want the business to be busy and I have concerns if the business is as busy as they want it to be."

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After consideration Cllr Chadwick, Cllr Newall and Cllr Flitcroft approved the alcohol licence but between the hours of 8am and 10pm rather than between the hours of 8am and 10.30pm.

A ruling said this was in line with other businesses and, if there were issues related to the business, the issues would not be related to whether it was selling alcohol or it was not selling alcohol.

It said: "The licence was approved despite the objections as the objections did not relate to the licensing objectives."

Kearsley News and Wines was not open as of last week but it is to open within weeks according to Mr Rushton.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.