A MASSIVE hurdle in the way of a multi-million pound revamp of York's Barbican Centre has been removed after it was granted a late bar licence.

Prospective operators Absolute Leisure said today they were preparing to redevelop the complex "as soon as possible", as licensing chiefs gave the new centre the go-ahead to serve alcohol until 2am.

The decision was welcomed by council leisure chief Keith Orrell, who said it was "good news for the residents of York", and by Royal British Legion chiefs, who may now be able to stage this year's Festival of Remembrance at the Barbican.

But members of the campaign group Save Our Barbican (SOB) - who opposed the scheme because of concerns about late-night noise and disturbance in the area - say they will consider appealing to magistrates against the decision.

Ernie Dickinson, of SOB, said: "We are very, very disappointed, especially as we consider that we won the argument during the hearing.

"The site can occupy 3,500 people and they will be moving in and out of a residential area. We think it is an outrageous decision." He said the group may appeal to magistrates, because it believed rules about licensing notices had been breached.

Tony Knox, boss of Newcastle-based Absolute Leisure, had threatened to abandon the £3 million scheme if the late licence was not granted.

But City of York Council chiefs received more than 200 objections to the Barbican's late application.

Mark Hill, Fishergate ward Green councillor, said: "I am disappointed that the licence has been granted without any of the conditions we asked for. I think it is a pity that they did not get an opportunity to curtail the hours and restrict the use of the main auditorium.

"This gives them (Absolute Leisure) immense flexibility."

Coun Hill said about 3,000 people would be able to use the venue and make their way - at 2.30am to 3.30am - through residential streets.

Local resident and campaigner Maria Dodd said: "I don't think we have been represented (by the council). The objections and petitions, as a combined effort, show that there is great concern in the community about something like this taking place. We are going to have something not dissimilar to Micklegate."

But Mr Knox said: "Absolute Leisure is absolutely delighted. We have invited members of the residents' committee to come up to Newcastle, at our own expense, and visit The Lounge and Coco Moss to see what they will be getting - and to put their minds at rest.

"We will be working hard at the Barbican to refurbish it and to reopen it as a facility for the people of York as soon as possible."

Ted Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion, said he would be asking Absolute Leisure whether the Barbican could be temporarily reopened to hold the annual service to remember those who died in war.

Coun Orrell said: "We have been anxious to get on with the refurbishment for a long time.

"There are a lot of people who want this to happen as quickly as possible."

The licence was granted with a number of conditions, including an order that Absolute Leisure submits a noise reduction scheme that must be approved by council chiefs.

The decision could also pave the way for the return of the UK Snooker Championships, as Absolute Leisure has previously said it would make the Barbican available for the two-week tournament before the redevelop takes place.

Updated: 15:05 Monday, July 18, 2005