WATERFOOT's Royal Hotel is pinning its hopes on magistrates to grant permission for the downstairs part of the premises to be developed into a sports club.

If the go-ahead is given to the join licence, under the names of joint owners mother and son Maria and Paul Stannard, it is hoped the club could be open before Easter.

A spiral staircase will be added at the back of the pub so that customers can enter the sporting area, which until November was the Club Royale, from the bar.

The existing games room would then be altered and made into an extension of the bar.

Magistrates will tour the premises on Tuesday and Paul hopes a decision will be made on Thursday.