WATERFOOT's nightclub the Club Royale, which has been operating without a public entertainment licence for 14 months, has had its application for renewal rejected.

After a lengthy debate at the health and housing committee, councillors also turned down an application to extend the licensing hours for the bar in the Royal Hotel until 4am at Christmas and New Year.

Solicitors acting for the Stannard family who own the Royal Hotel addressed the committee as did Maria Stannard, who is a partner in the business with her son Paul.

The Club Royale has been operating as a nightclub in the cellars of the hotel on Bacup Road since 1979.

Chairman of the committee Coun Stephen Birtwell said: "I can confirm the public entertainment licence was refused and the actual hearing lasted more than two hours.

"The police gave evidence to object to the licence being renewed and there were a number of reasons why club's application was refused which will be forwarded in writing to the owner.

"Part of the deliberation was there had been incidents in the last few weeks which involved arrests and that the previous application of an entertainment licence was taken into account.

"The club had been operating without a public entertainment licence for 14 months. The owners had been warned about this and had been visited regarding the complaints. It is the responsibility of the licence holder to know when it needs renewing."

Sgt Richard Clare, from Bacup, said: "At the meeting the councillors were told 17 arrests had been made outside the Club Royale in the last four months

"There was one major incident when seven people were arrested and there were three incidents where police officers were injured as a result of fights outside the club. There have also been numerous complaints from residents about noise and disturbance from people outside the premises.

"There appears to be some sort of failing in this case that the club has continued operating without a licence and it has not been clamped down on sooner."

Coun Birtwell said the council had not closed the business. The bar could still operate and the hotel could still run. He said an appeal against the decision could be made to magistrates but did not believe it would succeed.

Mrs Stannard declined to comment.