THE owners of a former Burnley nightclub - and the promoters of a proposed new gin bar - are set to clash over a 4am licence bid.

Keira Crossley has plans to launch Williams Lounge Bar in Yorke Street, opposite the Burnley Mechanics.

But councillors have been told that an objection has been received from Burnley Taverns, which owns Yorke House, incorporating the former Posh and Rum Jungle venues.

Planning permission has been granted by the borough council to convert the premises, which stretch around into Ormerod Street, into new flats.

And the developers are concerned that the prospect of an early-hours operation would not sit well with their prospective tenants.

In a letter to the council’s licensing department, Richard Snowden, of Burnley Taverns, said: “There are 32 licensing public houses and night clubs in Burnley town centre, as well as the one subject to this application.

“None of the others are located immediately adjacent to residential accommodation.”

Mr Snowden is also concerned as the planning permission granted for the gin bar is said to have stated that all licensed activities would cease at midnight, when the current application has detailed a 4am cut-off.

But Miss Crossley has insisted that the new bar has been designed to meet the authority’s licensing objectives.

In her application, she said: “The proximity of nearby residents is to be taken into account. Door supervisors are to ask patrons to leave the premises quietly.”

New toughened safety glass has been fitted to external windows and CCTV will be covering the bar and street scene, to assist with security, she added.

The door supervisors would also ensure that the overall capacity is not breached, especially over weekends and for special events, licensing officials have been told.

Representations are expected to be made on behalf of both parties when the council’s licensing sub-committee, comprised of Cllrs Frank Cant, Peter Gill and Lorraine Mehanna, meets at Burnley Town Hall tomorrow, from 10am, to determine the application.