AN EYESORE pub in Bury is to be demolished after planning permission was granted for it to be overtaken by a car showroom.

The plan submitted by car delaership RRG Kia in Bolton Road will see the boarded-up Derby Arms pub and vacant Texaco petrol station knocked down.

It will allows the car dealership to extend its showroom floor space by 80 square metres and create a floodlit display area as well as providing more customer parking.

RRG Kia will recruit two new full-time employees, increasing the workforce from seven to nine.

Two residents on Fairy Street were concerned the proposal could interrupt property views and additional flood lighting would increase light coming into apartments at night.

But a report to the council’s planning committee made a stipulation that lighting should only be operated between 6am and 8pm to reduce light pollution.

“The property would lead to a reduction in the amount of late night activity on that part of the site as both the petrol filling station and the public house had the potential to cause noise nuisance to nearby residents,” said the report. The proposal would allow the existing business to upgrade and expand operations, and the change of use of the land would not have a seriously detri-mental impact on the visual or residential amenity of the locality.”

RRG Kia is also planning to take on apprentices, which could lead to a permanent job and an NVQ qualification.

The firm’s joint managing director Tony Cliff said: “With over 45 years of operation in the region, we pride ourselves on being a strong local employer.

“As part of our regional expansion plans, we have a longterm strategy to invest in the communities in which we operate.

“There is a great deal of talent in the North West and we’re proud to be investing in our local young people, who will help to continue our successful growth plans across the region.”

For apprentice inquiries email Sarah Cooney at sarah.cooney @rrg-group.com by June 30.