A FORMER drink and drug addict who turned his life around after help from a treatment centre has started a petition calling on the council to ban a new pub due to open next door.

Slough father Murphy James, 31, has said the decision to allow a pub next to Turning Point, in Slough High Street, is 'vile’ - and could see vulnerable addicts targeted.

The now full-time musician, who was also the first peer mentor at the centre, said he feels 'sick to the stomach’ and wants the council to revoke a licence for the planned The Assembly bar.

“It’s one of the most vile decisions,” he said. “Noone will understand the amount of courage that is needed to seek help. This is simply rubbing it in addicts’ faces.” The Observer revealed last month that Star Pubs & Bars was advertising for a licensee to take over the pub, at 4-6 William Street, for 'style-conscious, young professionals’. The property, which has been empty since 2004, has had a licence to operate as a drinking establishment since the early 2000s, a council spokeswoman said.

The council moved the treatment centre to its current location three years ago. It joined together the services from two former centres which were at either end of High Street.

A council spokeswoman said: “Doing that has provided a really positive outcome. We wanted a town centre location that was easily accessible. However being there [in the town centre] it’s hard not to do it near somewhere selling alcohol.” Mr James, who celebrated the birth of his first child earlier this month, was introduced to the service after being hospitalised because of his substance abuse in June 2012. In six months he made remarkable progress and in September last year was appointed a peer mentor - to help other addicts.

“I now have a beautiful daughter and I am here to celebrate that because of the help I received, and the help that people like me should receive,” he added.

“Why should so many obstacles be thrown in the way? They want to get help, and this is like being told they can’t be bothered to help you.” His online petition has been signed by more than 35 people. It states: “Funding for drug and alcohol misuse has already been cut to next to nothing over the previous few years and now this. I think this is a disgrace to Slough, as a supposed 'community led council’.” Stars Pubs & Bars said the site has been advertised for 12 months and has received 'minimal interest’. A spokeswoman added: “Its future is therefore uncertain at the current time.” To view the petition visit here: http://www.slough.gov.uk/moderngov/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=33&RPID=11478654&HPID=11478654