A BID to reopen a former workingmen’s club will be discussed by councillors next week.

Businessman Paul Montgomery is seeking a premises licence to reopen The Hibernian, in Station Road, Stanley.

The workingmen’s club, which closed because it was no longer viable, was one of the most popular drinking establishments in the town for several decades.

The licence application is for the pub to trade until 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, until 2.30am Fridays and Saturdays and until 12.30am on Sundays. The venue would be open from 9am to serve breakfasts.

However, there have been a number of concerns raised about the granting of a premises licence for the three-storey venue.

One neighbour has lodged an objection over the potential noise generated during late-night opening, while Cllr Olga Milburn, who represents the area on Durham County Council, is also objecting.

In her submission to the licensing sub-committee, Cllr Milburn wrote: “I am aware that the premises have had a licence from the early 1900s, but as a club with limited opening hours and certainly not a nightclub.

“My main objection is based on the fact that this is a residential area with flats over the shops adjoining the club building and a terrace of larger houses running down the hill towards Shield Row”.

She added that the disturbance created by customers leaving in the early hours would be far greater than in the past, when the workingmen’s club emptied at 11pm.

Police have not objected although they have proposed a number of conditions, while the council’s environmental health department says the playing of music should be restricted to 12.30am.

Members of Durham County Council’s statutory licensing sub-committee will decide on the application when they meet at County Hall in Durham on Tuesday (June 30).