FISH enthusiast Giles Barlow has vowed to appeal against a council's decision to shut his aquatics store, after he was told it was too far away from the town centre.

He opened Barlow's Aquatic Trading, Scaitcliffe Street, Accrington, in September before receiving the go-ahead by council planners.

It had been his dream to start his own business since he began collecting fish 15 years ago and he says the shop has been a success. He stocks more than 2,500 fish of every size, species and colour.

But now councillors on Hyndburn development services committee have ruled that the store must close as it is too far from Accrington shopping centre.

The council's Local Plan restricts the retail use of sites outside town centres to reduce problems with parking and public transport. Mr Barlow said: "This is absolute madness.

"The store needs to be away from the town centre because people buy tanks and fish.

"How on earth is anyone expected to carry a six-foot tank through a shopping centre?

"This spot in Scaitcliffe Street is ideal.

"You can park right outside and it's easy to get to on Saturdays and Sundays.

"All the aquatic shops I've been to have been away from town centres and they don't seem to have had any problems getting permission."

Councillors unanimously agreed Mr Barlow had their full support and every effort would be undertaken to try to find him other premises.

Coun Maurice Cowell said: "Accrington is crying out for this kind of shop. The only problem with this is it's very badly positioned."

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