Chris Fearnley and Shelby Walker, who run the Duke of Lancaster, are taking over the old Masonic Hall across the road from their pub and hope to convert it into a multi-use entertainment venue and cabaret bar – to include a fully licensed casino.

Chris and Shelby's ambitious plans also include moving the popular drag cabaret nights from the Duke to the new venue, then converting the Duke back into a more traditional pub with Bed and Breakfast.

Chris said they will promote their new venue as "gay-friendly", as they do now at the Duke.

"We've outgrown the Duke, as we're absolutely chock-full between Thursdays and Sundays," explained Chris, who has run the Church Street bar with Shelby for three years.

"There are actually people who won't come in because we're too busy! And the B&B isn't doing as well as it was, because people can't sleep with music banging downstairs until 1am.

"So we decided to buy the old Masonic Hall and change the Duke back into a more traditional pub.

"We never intended to put a bar in the Masonic Hall but when we saw the art deco we thought it would be great.

"We'll keep as much of the old Masonic decoration in there as we can, it will give it character."

Chris and Shelby intend to start work on a major refurbishment of the Hall – which including the purchase will total a cost of nearly one million pounds – later this year.

They will also market their new venue as a location for weddings, including civil partnerships, and other functions.

If the new venue is a success, they hope to open a casino on the upstairs floors at a later date.