A MUSIC lover who has set up Ramsbottom's answer to Liverpool's Cavern Club faces a crunch meeting to see if he is allowed open it.

Pat Duggan opened a guitar shop in Kay Brow Yard last October and spotted a unit next door which he thought could be adapted as a 60-capacity music venue and band rehearsal room.

The 61-year-old rock enthusiast transformed the unit into a chic basement-style bar reminiscent of the Merseyside venue synonymous with the Beatles.

But when he opened it up, neighbours complained to Bury Council about noise and the council ordered Mr Duggan to apply for their permission before re-opening.

In May, Bury Council's licensing panel granted an alcohol and entertainment permit for the venue.

Mr Duggan cannot open up, however, until he gets planning permission and members of Bury planning committee are set to meet at 7pm on Tuesday at Bury town hall to see if it should be granted.

In a report to the committee, planning officer Tom Beirne said: "On balance, it is considered that the shop and rehearsal room uses would not cause undue noise and disturbance and are acceptable.

"However, the proposed bar would, by reason of the potential noise and disturbance caused by customers leaving the premises at or towards closing time, would be considered detrimental to residential amenity and would be unacceptable and conflict with council policy."

Four residents of Grants Lane have formally objected to the application.

They claim the units are meant only for industrial use and that the bar would cause noise, parking problems and road safety problems.

Mr Duggan will be able to speak at Tuesday's meeting, as will one objector.