CONCERN over the amount of takeaways in Darwen has yet again emerged after plans to replace a former bridal shop with a fast food outlet were approved.

The new takeaway, proposed for development by Asim Mahmood of Gorse Road, Blackburn, will move into the site where Bridal Bliss used to be in Duckworth Street, which has been unoccupied since its closure.

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But local councillors have expressed their worry over the amount of fast food that is already on their doorstep in the town and have questioned whether business in Darwen is really going in the right direction.

Cllr John East, of the Whitehall ward, said: "It's fine having another takeaway, there's no harm in that, but is that what we really need?

"I think we really need to be investing in more jobs than fast food all the time, we want businesses to want to come to Darwen and it not just become a dormant town.

"We should be trying to invest in retail shops and have a corporate strategic plan for the town. We want shoe shops, book shops and clothes shops, I don't know why we need another takeaway because there are already around 60 in Darwen."

Sudell Cllr Roy Davies was in agreement and said that as more people fill houses that are to be developed in the town, there will be demand for more than just takeaways.

He said: "What's going to happen in a few years time in Darwen is that people are going to want more retail shops here.

"I feel like we might be falling to the thinking pattern of anything is better than nothing and we're not actually thinking about what people really want.

"Takeaways are great but there are already enough."

Cllr Paul Browne said: "It's beyond a joke. I thought we were clamping down on takeaways in Darwen, the majority of shops are already restaurants or takeaways, we do not need another one."

There will be changes to the front of the shop and the windows and doors are also to be fully glazed.

The sign of the shop will be internally illuminated and access to both the front and back of he shop will be remain as it exists.

Cardboard and cooking oil at the takeaway will be collected by a third party recycling company.