COUNCILLOR Tony Page has slammed plans to turn a derelict HMV store into a Cuban bar and dubbed the proposal “a back door way of shipping in another night club in Reading”.

The lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport expressed strong opinions on the major proposal to change the use of the Friar Street outlet into bar chain Revolucion de Cuba on the grounds that Reading is sacrificing retail for another new venue.

During Wednesday’s Planning Committee meeting he told his fellow councillors that more should be done to safeguard the borough’s retail stores.

He said: “In reference to the business of retail and Friar Street I have to say I think we need to have a further discussion among ourselves and officers to protect retail in Reading.”

The plans were submitted to Reading Borough Council on October 21 by The New Inventive Bar Company – the team also behind popular chain Vodka Revolution - which also has sites in Cardiff, Derby, Norwich, Shefield and Manchester.

Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Committee member Councillor Marian Livingston said: “Recently going out with the Licensing Committee and seeing what happens in the town centre in the early hours of the morning, I have to say it’s not a pretty sight and the amount of crime and disorder is increasing.

Planning Committee chair Councillor Chris Maskell claimed Thames Valley Police officers are being drawn away from other locations to police the town centre.

He added: “Policing not only covers the town centre but also these quiet residential areas as well so I believe we should be mindful of that upon making this decision.”

The bar would be open until 2am with a capacity for more than 700 people on a site which has been vacant since 2011

The proposal, which would create 55 new jobs in Reading, was deferred by the committee.