TOWN councillors are objecting to the renewal of a public entertainment licence for Marlborough College's sixth form club.

By a seven-four majority, members of the planning committee voted on Monday to object to plans to renew the club's entertainment licence.

They sided with Coun David Watson who said that when the club first opened five or six years ago it was stated it was for use by the public school students only but was now used for other functions as well.

Coun Watson said that any business in the town wanting a public entertainment licence had to pay business rates.

"This sixth form club does not have to pay business rates and this is unfair competition for the other businesses in the town," said Coun Watson.

He proposed that the council should object to the renewal of the licence because the use of the building in Bath Road was not as originally proposed.

Coun Watson added that the building was in a prominent position.

He said it was not well suited to social use because it lacked sound insulation.

After the committee had voted to object to the plans, Coun Stewart Dobson, who had voted against the objection, said the school had always made it clear the club would be used for weddings and other social events.