A LICENSED restaurant could be a successful recipe for a Mosley Common landmark.

And locals are backing the owner's plans for the former Labour Club at Garrett Hall Road.

Transformed two years ago into a private members club, the building dates back to the boom years of working men's clubs and Co-op stores.

Almost 20 years ago the Labour Club was extended, taking over the adjoining Co-op store floor space. But changing trends saw its demise.

Its owner, John Bailey, a few years ago renovated and re-opened the building as a private members' club. But the venture wasn't the hoped-for success.

Now he believes the switch to a restaurant is the only way he can recover some of his investment.

Letters from 27 local residents in support of his plans were sent to Wigan Council whose development committee members approved the application.

Supporting his intentions Mr Bailey told planners: "I purchased the property when it was in a very dilapidated state.

"It had become a haunt for drug abuse and unsavoury characters meeting in dark corners and covered with vile graffiti."

Mr Bailey, who with his wife, Irene runs Granville Properties in Walkden, explained:

"I funded the restoration with my own money and a bank loan. Locals were highly delighted, but over the past two years it has struggled to be the success I thought it would be."

Mr Bailey said the members' club had been closed for six months and to re-open would cost too much but he feared it could be vandalised.

"I feel, and so do locals, that restaurant facilities would be a wonderful addition to this area," he said.