THE former George pub in Bolton Road looks set to become retail units with offices above and a taxi office, after planning permission was granted.

As reported in the Lancashire Telegraph in September, Vale Commercial submitted plans to change the use of the once-popular town centre pub after buying the building at auction.

The building is in two parts, with a smaller extension at the back in Foundry Street, which will be turned into a taxi rank.

It is anticipated that a second application for the retail units and flats in the main pub building that fronts Bolton Road will be submitted soon.

The taxi rank will be in operation 24 hours a day, according to documents submitted with the planning application, while the development will create three full-time jobs.