A NEW music venue in Darlington has been granted an entertainment licence.

The former Borough Road Music Centre has been leased from Darlington Borough Council by businessman David Cox, who aims to turn it into the Music Forum, a members-only live music venue.

The former school, which was built in 1871, is being refurbished to include recording studios, rehearsal rooms, a performance space and a cafe bar.

At yesterday's licensing committee meeting, members heard the public entertainment licence would only be used occasionally under a members-only policy.

Letters of objection were sent to the council when Mr Cox applied for planning permission for the changes to the building from nearby residents concerned about noise.

But Mr Cox said he was working on soundproofing the building to prevent disturbance to neighbours and if noise level tests showed it was necessary, he would sound-proof the roof.

He expects the work on the venue to take two to three months.

Councillors agreed to grant the entertainment licence from 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.