A THRIVING beauty salon in an East Lancashire urban conservation area is to expand upstairs rather than leave the town.

Approval has been granted to allow SELF in Bolton Road, Darwen, to use the first floor of the premises - previously a flat - for the business.

Salon owner Bethany Grace Bolton told planners she did not wish to leave the town.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted planning permission for the expansion of the premises in the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area with three conditions.

A supporting statement submitted with her application by the property owner Janet Farrell said: "This building is not listed however it is within a conservation area.

"There will be no changes externally to the building and therefore no changes that will impact on the surrounding area.

"The only change internally will be to create an internal doorway from the rear room of the ground floor into the hallway to be able to access the two rooms upstairs.

"There is already an external door to this hallway and by allowing this to go ahead it will allow for additional rear access to vacate the premises in case of any emergency.

"The business currently renting the ground floor of 31 Bolton Road is owned by a lady called Bethany Grace Bolton.

"Bethany started her new business here named SELF in March 2023 and has quickly developed a successful, thriving, beauty salon.

"However, the ground floor area is limited in size and Bethany wishes to keep her business in Darwen but would like to expand to take over the first floor area that was previously rented out as a one-bedroom flat to utilise the space in order to improve the facilities for her clients.

"The flat is currently vacant and in need of re-flooring and redecoration following the departure of the previous tenant.

"Several of the businesses in this row of shops are already operating over the ground and first floors.

"Bethany has greatly improved the salon since taking it over and in my opinion it has made a huge improvement to that particular row of shops in this conservation area.

"As the owner of the property I am happy to help and support this new local business to thrive.

"I trust planning permission will be granted for this change of use from a small residential flat to allow Bethany to remain in this property and expand her business and in doing so continue to attract her clients to visit the town."