THE owners of a sports bar chain will find out this week whether they have been granted a licence to trade at a nightclub in Durham.

An application has been made to open a Players Bar at the former venue of Loveshack, which is part of the Walkergate complex.

Durham Police has lodged an objection with Durham County Council, saying it has concerns about plans to open until 4am on up to 15 nights a year, and the number of door staff who would be employed at the weekend and on student nights.

Objections have also been made by Sidegate Residents’ Association and St Nicholas’ Community Forum because of the proposals to serve alcohol until 2am and to the 4am extension.

The venue has been empty since last summer, when Loveshack closed its doors.

Licensing at Walkergate has been in the spotlight in recent months, following the death of Durham University student Olivia Burt outside nearby bar Missoula.

In May, when the application was submitted, Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said she would like to see it refused by the council.

However, when details of the meeting, which takes place today at County Hall, Durham, were published, no official comments had been made by the MP.

The application will be heard at 10am.