Proposals for a new Bargain Booze off-licence have been submitted to Burnley Council, but Padiham Town Council condemned the plans for the shop this week.

If approved, Bargain Booze would make its home in the shop formerly used by Noah's Ark, which sold children's clothes, at numbers 11 to 13 Burnley Road at the top of Padiham, and the main concern for councillors is its "gaudy" design and proximity to the town's conservation area.

The applications are for a new shop front with an ATM machine and shutters and illuminated shop signs.

The outside of the shop would be burgundy with yellow lettering spelling "Bargain Booze", and councillors said this was "out of keeping" with the rest of the street, although the plans stated all of the existing stone detail around the front of the building would be retained and cleaned.

Coun. Bob Clark said: "The signing is totally out of keeping with a conservation area and would lower the tone of the area."

Coun. Kathleen Hudson added she thought there was not enough room for a new ATM as that area of Burnley Road, near Church Street, was already busy.

Former Mayor of Padiham Coun. Maureen Whittaker said: "Personally, I am not keen on an ATM machine right next to a place where pocket money alcohol is being sold and bought. What we like to think the town council could do is work together with the company to come to an agreement on the issues we have raised here."

A letter will be written by town council clerk, Mrs Elizabeth Bolton, to Burnley Council, outlining the town council's objections to the shop front and ATM.

Acumen Retail Ltd, which put the planning application forward, could not be contacted.

A decision on the planning applications has been delegated to Burnley Council's planning department and is expected to be made by early October. Residents' objection can be received at the council until September 12th.