A TOWN centre nightclub has been granted permission to expand its premises.

Proposals were sent to St Helens Council’s planning department earlier this year with regards to Bar 44, on Westfield Street, St Helens.

It was proposed to create a single-storey bar and kitchen extension on vacant land next to the nightclub at 48 Westfield Street, formerly the site of a now-demolished health food shop.

Plans also included for the demolition of the shop at 50 Westfield Street to enable the construction of enclosed seating terrace and a single-storey toilet block

The application said the commercial premises currently at the site is in “a dilapidated condition”.

A design and access statement, drawn up by Taurus Design Services, on behalf of applicant S Lawler said: “The ground floor layout comprises a revised entrance configuration on the side of Bar 44.

“The bar will then be opened up to accommodate ground floor toilets and a smoking area to the rear and further licensed floor space and seating to the front.

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It added “minor alterations are proposed to the first floor configuration”.

Plans said that “the scale of the property is in keeping with that of the previous business premises and surrounding area”.

They added “the existing character of the area has been maintained and has not been jeopardised by the extent of our proposals”.

The application said it is estimated the bar will have a total licensed capacity in the region of 520 “however this is subject to ongoing negotiations with police, fire and licensing departments”.

The semi-enclosed smoking area is proposed to be on the ground floor to the rear yard area of the site.

Recommending the plans for approval, case officer Daley parsonage noted that due to the proximity of the upcoming residential development at the Beechams Building, a noise assessment had been conducted and it was found “the overall noise impact will be negligible”.

It was noted the “current appearance of the building is detrimental to the appearance of one of the main bus routes into the town centre” and added a “single-storey building provides a modern appearance to the development and is not an uncommon form of extension”.

The report summarised: “The proposed development is considered to be an acceptable form of development within the town centre that helps with the vitality of the area”.

Formal permission for the plans was granted.