COUNCILLORS have warned the revamp and restoration of the Three Guineas pub cannot to be used as a way to open a new nightclub.

Planning leaders welcomed the work to breath new life into the boozer at Reading Station but were wary of the owners introducing a late night venue in the Victorian building's cellar.

The comments came as members approved designs to revitalise the pub's interior and undertake "long overdue" work to renovate the historic clock tower.

Speaking at Reading Borough Council's planning applications meeting last night Cllr Page described the project as a "curate's egg" - praising the restoration works but warning against any use as a club.

He added: "I for one, and the town centre police and others, will draw attention to the fact that this is within a cumulative impact zone and that the police will have major concerns if there is any attempt to introduce a new nightclub into this area.

"It was originally sold to us as more of a dining and meeting area but the latest design that we see, plus the licensing application that has gone in, indicates much more of a nightclub than a restaurant area."

In the planning papers officers noted cloakrooms, a bar, a dancefloor, a band area, seating booths and a VIP area all being included in the new designs.

A separate licensing application to extend the pub's hours for serving drinks and playing recorded or live music until 2am has since been submitted to the authority.

However, Cllr Page and council officers admitted their concerns would not impact on the planned building work and said the nightclub issue would be dealt with separately by their licensing team.

Richard Bennett, chair of Reading Civic Society, also praised the conservation work being included in the scheme.

He said: "We are pleased to see this work is being carried out to preserve and sensitively enhance the fabric of the Grade II listed building."

Originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel the Grade II listed building was first opened as the ticket office for the station in 1840.

It now houses a pub run by Fullers on the ground floor with office and storage space in the upper floors for rail staff.