A TAXI office will be allowed to operate from a former estate agent's office in Bolton Street despite a petition from nearby traders.

The 24-hour private hire firm which has three full-time employees was granted permission to use the building as an office for the business but planning officers said that customers would not visit the premises.

A petition from Bolton Road Traders opposing the plans, which has received 19 signatures, has been submitted to the council.

It said that existing businesses need more traders who will attract footfall to the street in trading hours.

The plans state that there will be no public waiting area or access to the premises which will be operated as a radio-only business, whereby customers would ring for a taxi and be picked up at their chosen location.

The application is a resubmission of plans previously rejected on highway safety and parking grounds.

This latest plan was approved by the planning committee on Tuesday.