A “NEW generation” of snooker hall and sports bar could be set to open in Southampton - bringing up to 20 jobs to the city centre.

Sharkey’s Pool and Sports Bar is set to invest up to £800,000 to create a “flagship” venue in Southampton.

The company, which is looking to expand from its original home in Bournemouth, has agreed to take over the former Savoy Taylors Guild on Above Bar Street.

Bosses are hoping to convert the building into a three storey sports bar, containing up to 25 snooker and pool tables.

Owner, Rod Cake, said he hopes to bring a new type of sports bar to Southampton –as well as create up to 20 jobs.

He said: “Sharkey’s isn’t some dingy drinking hall or old school snooker club, it’s a new generation of sports bar.

“We’ve the best tables and the best equipment and customer service is massively important to us.

“We really think this would add to the area and give Southampton something it doesn’t currently have.”

As part of the plans, submitted to Southampton City Council, the company hopes to install up to eight snooker tables, 13 American pool tables and between four and six English pool tables.

If given the green-light, the venue will also include four table tennis tables, a bar and a 250inch television.

Mr Cake plans for the bar to show a variety of sports, including live football and boxing.

The venue will also serve food, which will be ordered in from takeaway outlets in the city centre.

Mr Cake said: “In our Bournemouth bar we have pizza, Mexican food and chicken.

“Hopefully we can have the same in Southampton and we are already in talks to make that happen.

“We really like to be part of the community and this is a good way to support other local businesses.”

The plans will now be discussed by members of the city council’s planning panel.

If the proposals are given the green-light, Mr Cake hopes to have the new bar open by January.

He said: “We are very excited about opening in Southampton.

“Hopefully it is the first step in Sharkey’s becoming the UK’s leading snooker hall and sports bar.”