PLANS have been unveiled to create four new shops at the home of a former employment agency in Burnley.

Ian Walker also wants to establish two apartment and two offices in the old Neville Gee base in Hargreaves Street.

The employment firm, which has since been acquired by Ideal Recruit, relocated to Lancashire Digital Technology Centre, Bancroft Road.

Planning agent Martin Hill said: “The proposal is to refurbish the building at ground, first and second floors, retaining the retail use at ground floor and two offices at first and second floor level.”

Three of the shops would be in Hargreaves Street and the remaining unit would be reached via Victoria Street, with an apartment and office proposed on both the two remaining floors.

Supporters of the scheme, lodged with Burnley Council, insist that it will not have an adverse impact on the Grade II-listed former post office opposite, which dates back to the turn of the last century.

Mr Hill has told planners that the four proposed redesigned new shopfronts would be better suited to the setting of the red-brick former post office, which has been vacant since the business relocated to WHSmith’s branch in Charter Walk in early 2014.