A LUXURY tearooms has been given the green light to serve alcohol as bosses bid to add a cocktail lounge to the shop.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen, based on London Road, Leigh, currently offers themed afternoon teas alongside its furniture store.

However, bosses recently submitted a licensing application to sell alcohol on the premises as they look to transform the furniture store into a seated bar.

Speaking at the licensing meeting, director Gill Hazell said the business had become “less retail and more hospitality” and that it was a “natural progression” for them to serve alcohol.

The application has now been granted subject to a number of conditions.

These include: all alcohol sales are only permitted to seated customers, customers can’t remove any drinks or bottles from the premises and smokers are only permitted to use the area at the front of the shop.

Bosses have also submitted a planning application to change the use of the shop from a tea rooms and furniture store to a tea rooms and cocktail lounge.

Southend Council will have the final say on the planning application.