A BID to open a £1.25m American-style Chicago Rock cafe in Trowbridge looked likely to clear its first hurdle last night.

Luminar Leisure's application for the public entertainment licence it needs to operate the 550-place venue, was due to be approved by West Wiltshire district councillors.

The company will still need planning permission to convert the old Dingles department store in Silver Street into an 86-place restaurant and daytime cafe, with a dance floor and stage for live music in the evening.

The cafe is aimed at the over-20s and will encourage children and families to visit during the day.

The scheme won crucial support earlier this month when Luminar director Steve Dennis visited Trowbridge to explain the company's proposals to town chiefs.

Town development manager Daryl Saville Brown said the general feeling was that Trowbridge could only benefit.

She said: "The fact that somebody wants to invest £1.25m into this town and give us something that we don't have is excellent.

"It will provide something for families and older people, as they are aiming at the 30-plus age range."

The cafe is bidding to open until 1am Monday-Saturday and between noon and 10.30pm on Sunday.

No children will be allowed in after 8pm, when door stewards will come on duty each evening.

If the licence is granted, the company will also be asked to improve lighting outside the premises and contribute to the cost of putting security cameras in Trowbridge Park and Park Road.

District council environmental health officer Sue Lindsay said: "Trowbridge Town Council has recommended approval of the application on the grounds that this is development aimed at the over-25s, a sector for which there is little or no entertainment provision at present in Trowbridge.