A HELENSBURGH entertainment venue is set to put its case for a bigger capacity to licensing chiefs for the second time.

But bosses at The Tower Digital Arts Centre have withdrawn the Submarine Centre from its application for a bigger venue licensed to sell alcohol.

The Argyll and Bute Licensing Board previously considered the application in September, but the venue was awaiting confirmation from the fire service that they were happy with the fire alarm system.

The application would see the layout plan amended to include screen 1 and the submarine centre, the capacity increased from 330 to 510, and changes to the wording of the children’s and young persons’ conditions.

A meeting with fire service officers is due to take place on Friday, November 10, and the licensing board will meet on Tuesday, November 14 to discuss the application further.

A report published in advance of the meeting said: “The Tower Digital Arts Centre is a Scottish charity managed by volunteers.

"The centre operates seven days a week providing the town with arts events and latest release cinema. The centre also provides community training.

“The Scottish Submarine Trust operates the Scottish Submarine Centre and is also a Scottish charity managed by volunteers.

"The Scottish submarine centre operates as a museum six days a week.

“Both social enterprises are operated from the former St Columba church complex. The building was built in 1861 and is a landmark building in the centre of Helensburgh.

“The centre was granted a change of use in 2017 and the two charities between them attract over 50,000 visitors a year.”

The report added: “This application was continued from the board’s meeting in September. The variation sought to add cinema/screen 1 and the Submarine Centre to the premises licence.

“The applicant was awaiting confirmation from the Fire Service that they were now happy with the fire alarm system, etc in respect of cinema 1.

“The applicant has now advised that they wish to withdraw the Submarine Centre from the application.

"A meeting is to take place with the fire service on November 10 at which it is hoped the fire alarm system, etc in respect of cinema 1 will be approved as satisfactory.”