BOSSES at a new Darwen restaurant have launched a petition to save their sign.

The owners of the Amalfi Lounge and Godfather takeaway in Duckworth Street opened their latest venture, Papa’s American Diner, in the property next door on Saturday.

But the restaurant, which was officially opened by US hip hop star Fatman Scoop ahead of his performance in the town, has been told it doesn’t have the appropriate planning permission for the new frontage as it is within the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area.

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Shaz Fani, who runs the restaurant with his brother, Keyvan, said: “We recognise it is a conservation area but this block has got no character worth preserving.

“It is a very plain and dilapidated set of terraces with no conservation features.

“The planning department needs to address why that block is in the conservation area.

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“Darwen artist Ben Atherton has developed this great sign which is a one-off masterpiece that improves the general street scene.

“It is a shame the planning department doesn’t agree.

“How this isn’t a massive improvement is beyond me.

“We will be putting in a retrospective planning application but from what they have told us it sounds as though it would be turned down, which is why we are looking for the support from the public.

“We need everyone’s support to keep this sign. Please come down to our shop to sign our petition.”

“Please support Darwen entrepreneurship and art by helping us keep business and employment in Darwen.

Gavin Prescott, planning manager at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “While approval was given for alterations to the front of the property, within the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area, what has actually been constructed does not comply with what was detailed in the original planning permission granted in December.

“One of our enforcement officers has informed the owner of this, and we have requested that they put in a new application to regularise the situation.”

The Godfather takeaway opened in 1990 and, five years ago, the Amalfi Lounge opened next door.

Having taken over the former AutioTec, which has moved to new premises in Marsh House Lane, the family owns three neighbouring properties with the Amalfi Lounge cocktail bar on the left and the Amalfi restaurant spanning across the top floor of all three buildings.

The family will now shift its attention to the former HSBC bank in The Circus, which will open as pizzeria and bar The Vault later this year.