Furniture business Paul Gaunt Furniture has secured planning permission to expand its store space.

Situated on Abbey Road in South Shore, Blackpool, Paul Gaunt Furniture submitted plans to Blackpool Council to convert the upper part of the property into a retail space to display more products.

The proposal has been given the green light, with a supporting statement highlighting: “The site is the upper floor of a corner property with commercial uses at ground floor.

“There are two units at ground floor and a separate access up to the first floor which is currently laid out as a 9-bedroom flat.

“The scheme is for the change of the upper floor flat to a retail showroom. The upper floor would be linked to the home furniture and giftware shop which occupies the ground floor and be laid out as mock-up rooms with home furnishings for sale. No external alterations are sought.

“Economically, the scheme would create some employment during use, and it is not considered that the use of the upper floor as retail would have an unacceptable impact on nearby local and district centres or wider economic objectives for the borough.

“Socially, there would be no identified impact on amenity, and no impact on highways or flood risk. As above, it is not considered that the use of the upper floors as retail would result in any unacceptable impacts. The loss of the dwelling is not considered to weigh notably against the proposal. On this basis, planning permission should be approved.”