Fears Lancashire village could be turning into 'next Monton' over plans for cocktail bar

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

With its independent shops and trendy bars and restaurants, Monton has long been touted as the 'New Didsbury'. But now a village in Lancashire is being described as the 'New Monton' - and not everyone's happy about it.

Plans to convert an old bank in Crawshawbooth into a cocktail bar have sparked fears the village could be 'taken over' by restaurants and bars and led to unfavourable comparisons to Monton, one of Salford's most desirable places to live.

Raising concerns that the bar could change the character of the village Rossendale council leader Alyson Barnes wrote: "Currently there are four drinks venues in Crawshawbooth – the Masons, The Black Dog, Liz’s Bar and the White Bull. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features "A new, large music venue runs the risk of changing the nature of what is a relatively small village.

On a larger scale, Monton in Salford, has almost been taken-over by restaurants and cafes. "Whilst residents clearly want access to great places to eat and drink, there is a limit to what a village can reasonably stand." The council leader was responding to a licensing application to sell alcohol and have live or recorded music at the proposed Thyme Wine & Cocktail Bar at Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth.