PLANS have emerged for a late-night restaurant and bar to open up in the ground floor of the Grand View flats in Leigh.

Developers Navana Ltd have submitted the application for a “lounge eatery” at the bottom of the modern apartment block opposite the Grand Hotel, off Leigh Broadway.

Plans for the bottom floor of the development, located right next door to Leigh Car Wash, were originally supposed to be for a selection of shops.

However, now a proposal has gone in for a bar to stay open until 2am Saturdays and Sundays.

Resident Jan Simon said: “I don’t mind that it’s a bar, it’s just the licensing. Opening until two in the morning is going to be problematic for locals because it’s a residential area.

“I mean, it is a town full of bars but I’m sure none of them open as late as that.”

A resident of nearby Maple Avenue, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “We’ve all objected.

“We thought it might be a hairdresser or a clothing shop. Which would have been fine, but not a noisy bar. If they had said this before it was built I don’t think they would have got permission.

“We were supposed to hear back by the 5th, but now they’ve extended it and it’s looking like the 25th”

The licence proposes: “The supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises and the provision of regulated entertainment comprising recorded music on Monday to Thursday 8am to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 8am to 2am and Sundays from 9am to 9pm.”

However, business owners in the area seem to think it will be beneficial for the town to welcome more independent businesses.

Troy Giles, 48, owner of Crème Cakes & Shakes, Leigh said: “I think it’s fantastic.

We need variety and quality otherwise the big businesses like Starbucks and Costa will take over.

“Leigh is about celebrating independent businesses

“I appreciate that it’s another food place, but you have to think, there’s 200 properties being built in Leigh at the moment. That’s around 400 people moving into the area and they will want quality.

“Providing it’s policed properly it will be fine.

“If you look at London, places like Islington have been regenerated thanks to all the bar and restaurant openings. It brings vibrancy and attracts people from out of town”.