A planning application to open a seventh barbershop within half a mile of Chapel Street in Leigh has triggered debate about the future of the town centre's high street.

Farhad Hassan applied to convert a former dog-grooming salon on Chapel Street into a barbershop. Hassan said he had worked in the barbering trade for about 10 years and already had an existing customer base.

However, the proposal has drawn formal objections from Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt and raised concerns from residents and local business owners about the concentration of similar shops on the street.

Residents call for different businesses

Jan, a 68-year-old resident of more than 50 years, said Chapel Street was busier in the past and used to boast a variety of shops and car showrooms.

"It used to be more thriving," she said. "When you look around in Leigh, not just in Chapel Street, the number of barbershops, vape shops, nail bars, pound shops, they are really flourishing, whereas other businesses aren't."

Josh Brown, who co-owns nearby Nellie's Bistro, said local people "just need something different" from what was already on offer.

Becks, who visits the street with her family, added: "We need to stop with the vape shops and the barbers and bring more stuff for children and families."

Planning rules and MP's objection

Jo Platt said the planning process provided an opportunity to consider whether another barbershop was needed. She argued that Chapel Street already had several established barbershops and that another would not add to the range of businesses available.

"We don't need another one, we really don't," Platt said.

In her formal objection, Platt noted that the previous dog-grooming salon was classified as sui generis — a use in a class of its own — while the proposed barbershop would fall within Class E. She argued this was an opportunity to assess whether a barbershop was the best use for the property and said the applicant had not demonstrated that another barbershop would contribute positively to the town centre.

Hassan said he remained open to other ideas for the premises and would decide what to do once renovation work had been completed, adding: "I want to make a nice shop."

Wigan Council has yet to consider the application.