NORTH Yorkshire licensees say they fear trade will be taken from their businesses if a town's cinema is allowed to sell alcohol.

Malton cinema boss Jeremy Powell has applied to sell drinks to customers watching films at the Palace Cinema.

But pub landlords in Malton and Norton are worried it will badly affect their own trade.

John Rushworth, from the Derwent Arms in Norton, said he was very worried.

"You don't have to be a brain surgeon to see that new places affect existing pubs," he said.

"There are that many licensed premises in Malton and Norton that they are all suffering.

"There is just not enough trade to go round as it is now, it has reached over saturation point."

Lofty Braithwaite, from the Royal Oak in Malton, echoed Mr Rushworth's concerns.

"Personally I think businesses are struggling anyway, and any more licensed premises are only going to shift business," he said.

Old Malton landlord Rick Mills, spokesman for the Licensed Victuallers' Association and licensee at the Wentworth Arms, added: "There are sufficient places for everyone to get a drink any time they want, there's really no need for another one."

Mr Powell insisted they were not trying to take businesses from existing premises.

"Malton and Norton do not need another pub, and we are not a pub," he said.

"People who want to come to the cinema and enjoy a drink can do.

"It's no different from people buying a drink at the theatre."

The cinema boss applied for a licence earlier this month to Scarborough magistrates along with employee Gareth Driver.

But although the pair were given the all-clear in theory, they were told they had to attend a licensees course before they could obtain permission to sell alcohol.

They are now booked on a course in York on Thursday and will be back at Scarborough Magistrates' Court on May 1, Mr Powell said.

Mr Powell said he was certain people who wanted to spend a night out at the pub would still do so.

"This is a case of seeing how it goes and I am sorry people see it as a threat.

"I see it more as an adjunct to what is already available."

Updated: 10:25 Tuesday, April 15, 2003