Permission has been granted for a former betting shop in Stevenage to be turned into a sunbed and beauty shop, which is expected to open seven days a week.

Stevenage Borough Council has given the green light for the change of use of a unit at The Glebe in Chells Way, with the local authority's planning officer saying it will "bring a vacant unit back into operation, and help improve footfall in this part of the local centre".

The proposed opening hours are 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

A report prepared by the council's planning officer says: "The council’s environmental health officers have assessed the application and are satisfied that the change of use would not cause any harm to any of the surrounding neighbouring properties, including the flats directly above the commercial unit, through noise, odour or vibration.

"The application furthermore involves no changes to the appearance of the shop that could negatively impact the character and appearance of the shop frontage."