A BRIDAL shop could be stopped from moving to a new premises — because Bolton Council wants it to come to the town centre instead.

Bridalwear by Emma Louise wants to relocate from its current base in Wigan Road to a vacant office building in Chorley New Road, Halliwell.

However, council officers are recommending that planning committee members refuse the application on the grounds that the business should be made to come to Bolton town centre.

According to a report being sent to a planning committee meeting tomorrow afternoon, the council believes the business could instead relocate to areas like Newport Street or Bradshawgate.

However, the applicant has already rejected around 30 other sites for reasons including price, size, parking facilities, and being located next to pubs, betting shops, and takeaways.

One objection to the council’s stance states: “The council should be encouraging successful businesses to grow in the borough and not attempt to manipulate them to a location which is considered inappropriate for their business.”

It added: “Due to the lack of investment in the town centre, increasing social issues and high level of void units, this location is not suitable for this type of business.”

Council officers say that the business had failed to demonstrate that it could not be reasonably be accommodated within the town centre.

They add: “Officers note the views of the applicant and their supporters who believe that the Council, as Local Planning Authority, should not be manipulating businesses into locations such as town centres that the businesses owner considers to be inappropriate.

“However, the “town centre first” approach has been adopted by the Government in the National Planning Policy Framework.”