A FORMER Barrow supermarket could get the go-ahead next week to become a bingo hall – creating 25 jobs.

Plans for the former Kwik Save premises on Holker Street go before Barrow Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (January 15) for decision.

But not all residents are in favour and have raised concerns about traffic, noise, rats, smoking and car parking on nearby streets.

Officers are recommending the application is passed but with five conditions.

The supermarket, on the corner of Holker Street and Collingwood Street, has stood empty for nine years, according to council documents.

The council said a key issue is whether it is right to allow the supermarket to change its use to a bingo hall and whether that would “impact” residents.

Three people have contacted the council and two objected to the plan.

They fear there would be an increase in noise and disturbance from traffic, odours from refuse bins, the possibility of rats, passive smoking from a smoking shelter backing onto Shakespeare Street, and anti-social behaviour.

Residents said large groups of people could leave at closing time with potential parking problems if the 80-space car park is full.

The hall would be open from 10am-midnight on Friday and Saturday, and from 10am-11pm Sunday to Thursday.

The applicants are Workington-based Graves Cumberland Ltd, which run the “Opera” bingo brand in Carlisle, Whitehaven and Workington.

It said 25 full and part-time jobs would be created if the plan gets passed.

It said the majority of players tend to leave at around 9.30pm with the club locked up by 10pm, although it sometimes has later events and customers.

The company said: “We have other clubs with residential neighbours and our experience is that we do not have any issues with rowdy or drunken customers causing a nuisance.”

They have applied for a gambling licence and a licence to sell alcohol and provide entertainment.

Cumbria County Council has been asked for its opinion from a highways perspective and does not object. The barrier to the car park would remain in place.

A council officer’s report said: “Given that the property could re-open tomorrow as an unrestricted A1 (supermarket) use, any impact on neighbouring residents is viewed as modest.”

The council said conditions around operating hours and extraction equipment would help safeguard residents.

The planning committee chairwoman is Cllr Ann Thomson, the Labour member for Hindpool.