THE new owners of a controversial nightclub today reassured neighbours about their plans to reopen it and said: "You won't lose any sleep!"

Councillors last week told Blackburn-based Hopecroft Design Ltd that they could have a licence for Cubes, in Duke Street, Blackburn, if they installed soundproofing equipment to keep their loud music in.

Members of the licensing sub-committee insisted on the condition after residents in nearby streets appealed for the club to remain closed.

The previous owner, Scott Moon, had lost his licence for the venue after noise complaints from neighbours.

He closed Cubs in December and secured planning permission in January to turn the building into a three-storey superclub.

But he has since sold up to Hopecroft, which has spent £70,000 re-opening Fuel, the bar next door to Cubes, which residents told the council they had had no problems with.

When the sound-proofing work has taken place at Cubes, £150,000 will have been spent refurbishing it.

Andy Lofthouse, from Hopecroft, said that they hoped to reopen on December 6 in time for Christmas.

He said: "We would like to reassure residents that they will have none of the problems they have had in the past.

"We can only reopen when the soundproofing work is done and the work we are having done will mean that, even if it was silent outside, people wouldn't be able to hear anything.

"We have made a point of employing a sound engineer to make sure everything is fine for when we reopen.

"There have been no problems with Fuel since that opened, and we would ask the residents to give us a chance with Cubes as well."

Councillors warned Georgia Elliott, the director of Hopecroft, that they would have no hesitation in taking her to court if the venue began to cause a nuisance.

Mr Lofthouse said the believed that the reopening of Cubes would provide Blackburn's nightlife with a new dimension.

He said: "The sort of night we are promoting is not available anywhere else. Fuel is already attracting a large crowd.

"Initially, Cubes will hold around 700 people, including a members' bar, and have several resident DJs. Next year we hope to add a floor and start attracting big name DJs."

Fuel hosts Preston-based Feel every Friday night, with one of the best known northern House DJs, Ribble Valley-based George Thompson.