INVESTORS behind plans to transform Bournemouth's old ice rink into an £8 million gambling and entertainment venue are ready to go ahead with a nightclub scheme straight away if they do not win a gaming licence.

Brendan McLoughlin, chairman of the Anglo-French company Waterimage Limited, told the town's licensing magistrates that the premises already had a licence for a 2,200 capacity bar, restaurant and night club operation called the Oceana Suite.

But the company would prefer to open a continental-style entertainment complex called the Majestic, with the capacity for cabaret, dining and conferences as well as gambling.

Mr McLoughlin revealed that before linking up with French company Lucien Barriere, his company, Luminar Leisure, looked at MGM in the United States and Sun International in South Africa.

"That led us to the conclusion that the French model was far more suitable for the UK than Bellagio or Sun City," he said.

Bournemouth council and the operators of the town's Gala and Stanley casinos are objecting to the company's application for a gaming licence.

A contract for a casino at the Pavilion was agreed by the council's previous Liberal Democrat administration before the Conservatives swept to power last May.

Current council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin has expressed fears that if the Majestic scheme goes ahead, it could damage the viability of the Pavilion scheme and the other existing casinos.

But Brendan McLoughlin told the licensing committee at Bournemouth magistrates court that the Pavilion's casino, to be called Aspers, was "completely different" from Waterimage's.

"We really don't have any views as to whether the Aspers casino is going to go ahead or not. There has been speculation," he told magistrates.

"Waterimage doesn't mind whether it goes ahead or not. We know the operators and have seen two recent casinos by the same team.

"They are English-style casinos, only bigger, and will attract the same gaming market as the Stanley and Gala.

"We are targeting the market that currently rejects the English-style casino."

He described the Majestic plans as "very finely tuned", adding: "The aim is to bring a new style of entertainment casino to the UK. We see ourselves as being leaders in that respect."

The hearing continues.