THE DEVELOPERS behind a £2.3m transformation at a petrol station have announced an opening date.

Blackburn-based firm Euro Garages has been redeveloping the BP garage and Spar in Blackburn Road since early this year.

Now, the company has revealed that it will be opening the new station, with a drive-thru Starbucks and a Greggs bakery, in the first week of September.

Construction workers are currently completing groundwork outside the garage, between the junctions with Staveley Road and Sharples Road, while most of the building's exterior appears to be complete.

The controversial development was first refused when an application was put in to Bolton Council in August 2017.

Councillors voted against the proposal when it was brought to the planning committee although town hall planners recommended approving it.

However, when new plans were submitted the following year, they were rejected by officers. The scheme was criticised for the impact it was expected to have on traffic on Blackburn Road, especially during peak hours when it was judged that motorists could be using services from the new businesses.

The company appealed this decision and a hearing took place in July 2018.

This was followed by government inspectors ruling in favour of Euro Garages after finding that the scheme would not conflict with local planning policies.

The company's commercial director Ilyas Munshi, has since confirmed that the two new businesses will create 25 new jobs.

He added: "The site will offer customers an enhanced fuel, convenience shop and food-to-go offer that will include a Starbucks Drive Thru and Greggs fresh bakery."

A bungalow neighbouring the petrol station was acquired by the company and knocked down earlier this year to make way for the expansion.