COMPLAINTS have been made about a massage parlour that has been established at a former off licence in Radcliffe.

Business owners have submitted a retrospective planning application for a change of use at the Stand Lane premises to a massage parlour. The business opened about three months ago.

Residents, businesses and a nursery in the nearby area have raised concerns about the “overall negative impression” that the parlour is having.

However in online adverts business bosses have stressed they do not offer a ‘sexual service’ and called suggestions to the contrary ‘disrespectful’.

The business offers head massages, cupping, and traditional Thai massage, to name a few.

A concerned individual, who asked not to be named, said: “We have seen people going into the building at midnight.” A sign on the door which originally read 10am-12midnight, has since been altered to 10am-10pm.

A spokeswoman for Amber’s Attic nursery said the parlour has had a “detrimental effect” on their business. They commented that the shop front was “boarded up” and there is “no reception area”.

Mrs Yan Liu, who works at the site, is named as the applicant behind the plans.

Bury Council has listed the application as a “change of use from shop to Thai massage therapy parlour”.

However, Paul Wood, who claimed to be a friend speaking on Mrs Liu’s behalf, said the premises is a “Chinese massage parlour”.

He said: “We were opening late because business has been really bad. A lot of appointments were scheduled late because people were coming in after work. The shop will be closing at 10pm now. The owner’s sentiments are that if people do not want her to open late then she won’t.

“We looked around similar businesses before opening and most places had a covered window so the owner decided she was going to adopt the same style."

Parents also claim to have seen men walking in with lager.

Another individual said: “The custom base seems to be middle-aged men and people stay there for a considerable length of time.

“We have seen people on the phone and ladies looking up and down the street. They do not dress as you would expect, in uniform. Their website specifies that it is non-sexual.

“We have not had any issues at all but it is not the kind of business we would like in this area of Radcliffe.”

Others said they would be making formal complaints to the local authority.

A Gumtree listing of the premises — 105 Stand Lane — invites visitors to “experience the magic of a massage with our beautiful ladies” and advertises “three new girls”.

However Mr Wood said: “There is only one woman working there.”

The advert reads: “Please note this is not a sexual service and any such requests by phone or text will not be responded to. Customers will be asked to leave the premises if the request is made in person. So please do not waste yours or our time as THIS IS NOT A SEXUAL SERVICE.”

Mr Wood continued: “We have had couples visiting, a doctor, various people coming in. The police have been in to check everything out.

“The inclusion of the ‘no sexual service’ message is because it is very disrespectful for someone to be asked that when they are in this job.”

Other services provided at the parlour include Thai foot massages and Chinese oil massage.

A description of the services listed on the application state: “The ground floor building would be used for massage therapy, treatment for aches and pains and body massages for people with back and joint pain.

“There would be three therapy rooms where treatment would be carried out by a professional qualified therapist.”