A CONTROVERSIAL new pub will open in Westhoughton despite opposition from local licensees.

The £1.2 million Wetherspoon pub, to be called The Robert Shaw will be on the site of the former Lo-Cost supermarket on Market Street.

Thirty new full and part-time jobs will be created at the pub, which was granted a licence at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday.

Landlords from local pubs representing The Westhoughton Pub Alliance turned out at the court to oppose the plan.

Michael Williamson, the landlord of The Wheatsheaf on Market Street said local landlords fear the multi-million pub chain is unfair competition.

He said: "We have been established for many years and we fear for our livelihoods. We can not compete with Wetherspoon prices, it is unfair competition."

Wetherspoons General Manager, David Leatherbarrow told the court the pub would offer Westhoughton residents good food and a wide range of beers and wines in comfortable surroundings with no music. He estimated the pub would take £20,000 per week.

Joseph Williamson, landlord of The Rose and Crown on Bolton Road said he feared this money would come from other pubs.

He said: "I have been a licensee for 33 years. In that time I have seen many changes, mostly pubs closing. Even Prince Charles has been on television supporting the smaller pubs because so many are going bankrupt as a result of pub chains.

"A lot of the licensees have spent a lifetime building up their business. Unless there is a huge influx of people in Westhoughton, where is that £20,000 coming from? It will come from our customers. Is there room for one more pub?"

Other potential problems raised included car parking and the fear of disorder.

Magistrates said they sympathised with the Westhoughton pub alliance group but said they were impressed with the quality of Wetherspoon's presentation as well as its reputation and standards.

Building work on the pub is set to start this Monday and it is hoped the pub will open in June this year.