The applicants, Certain Security Limited, said they had found new premises for Cuetopia in a vacant Argos store on Newland Street, but Mr Martin said the building was “not suitable”.

Martin added: “The snooker club is becoming homeless.

“We were offered the other building, but it is simply not suitable to occupy.

“The applicant is trying to protect his business; “I’m trying to protect mine.”

An agent for the developer told the council’s planning committee that his clients had offered a “significant rent-free period” on the former Argos property to allow the works to take place.

But Martin argued that the space would need a lot of investment and that rental payments would increase significantly after any rent-free period.