RESIDENTS near a controversial nightclub have pleaded with councillors to reject plans for its re-opening and said: "We're enjoying our sleep!"

The new owners of Cubes hope to be given a public entertainment licence later this month and re-open the Duke Street venue in the first week of December.

But residents have written to the three members of Blackburn with Darwen's licensing sub-committee pleading for the scheme to be refused.

In December last year, former owner Scott Moon lost his public entertainment licence -- which is required at all venues which play loud music and open late -- after complaints that the music was keeping them awake at night.

They said Cubes, a former garage, had not been properly soundproofed.

The club closed in January despite plans being approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council for the venue to be expanded into a three-floor entertainment village.

Owner Scott Moon has since passed on Cubes, and the adjacent Chocolate Bar, to a Blackburn-based firm called Hope Croft Design.

They have already re-opened Chocolate under the name Fuel, and now hope to re-open Cubes.

A meeting of the Licensing sub-committee tomorrow will be told the new owners have employed an acoustic consultant to carry out an inspection at Cubes to see what work has to be done before the venue re-opens.

But residents living in nearby streets aren't convinced. Their letters, all of which have had names taken out, are included in the report.

One said: "It has been been very peaceful for the first time since Cubes closed and we don't want to go through the sleepless nights again.

"There are many children and old people around here who do not want to be disturbed."

Another said: "We have had nine months of peace and quiet. It is a very nice feeling going to bed knowing that you will be able to sleep.

"I don't want to have people coming round to monitor noise levels at 3.30am just to prove there are problems, or have to call the police. I just want peace and quiet.

"Under no circumstances should it be allowed to open again."

Ward councillor Michael Johnson said: "Unless they address the noise problems I am not happy about this."

A spokesman for the new owners said: "We understand the residents' concerns and we have no intention of upsetting them.

"We are refurbishing the ground floor, and an acoustic consultant is working with us.

"Next year, we hope to build a first floor and maybe the second, which will give us a capacity in the high hundreds and add something special to Blackburn's nightclub scene."

At the same meeting, councillors will also be asked to allow the neighbouring Fuel bar to open until 2am on Wednesday to Saturday and until 12.30am on a Sunday -- an hour extra each night.

The residents who have opposed Cubes have all said that noise from Fuel since it opened has been 'acceptable'.