PLANS to bring a vacant store back into use as a coffee shop have been approved.

A planning application has been lodged with Blackburn with Darwen Council to convert the former clothing store in unit two of 12-16 Oswald Street, Blackburn, into a coffee shop.

And now planning officer Alec Hickey has given the proposal the green light.

A design and access statement compiled by architectural firm Compass states: “The site is situated on the junction of Randal Street and Oswald Street adjacent to a row of commercial properties and residential properties to the rear.

“The premises in question is in a prominent location just outside the ‘Whalley Range Bazaar’ fronting onto Randal Street with a high increase of foot traffic passing through.

“The premises have a blend of mixed used development in the vicinity, there are commercial shops/units along the stretch of Randal Street.

“The application premises is currently vacant as was previously occupied by a retail clothing outlet but the use has now ceased and the applicants are looking for fresh impetus to bring the unit back into a sustainable use."