A former under-age drinking den is set to re-open as a country and western club under new owners.

Mr Gray's Banqueting Suite in Station Road, Westcliff, was closed down after more than 30 police officers raided the premises last year and discovered young drinkers inside.

Now new owners GR Leisure UK Ltd hope to win final approval from Southend licensing magistrates to turn the venue into Mustang Sally's country and western club.

It would allow new owners John George and Sally Reid to provide the area's permanent venue for country and western events, including line dancing, starting from next Thursday.

The bar will be run as a private-members club so people will have to apply in writing before they can enter the venue.

The dance floor has been enlarged and the venue is being decorated with country and western memorabilia.

Spokesman Bob Blake for GR Leisure UK Ltd said: "This is something that has been planned for a couple years. It's just been a matter of finding a suitable venue.

"John and Sally are country and western enthusiasts and they travel regularly to North America.

"It appeared there was no dedicated country and western venue in the area and statistics show Britain is second only to America for following country and western music.

"The profile of typical country and western enthusiast is a much more mature individual - someone who is likely to be 30-plus and married with children."

"We are going to see if we can introduce aerobic class or line dancing tuition during the day but there would be no alcohol served then."

The club will be open from 7pm to 11pm Wednesdays to Saturdays and from 7pm to 10.30pm on Sundays.

Licensing justices have been lined up to visit the club before they consider the final liquor licence next Thursday.

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