SNOOKER stars John Higgins and Stephen Maguire are in the frame to open a new Greenock pub tonight.

Four-time world champion Higgins and former UK Championship winner Maguire will officially open Cheers Bar, formerly Legends, on West Stewart Street – as well as sister venue Live @ The Loft upstairs.

The green baize aces are taking time out of their busy schedules to open the venue as a favour to owner and friend Ian Ellis.

But it won’t be a big break away from the table for the cue men because they will jet out to Berlin tomorrow to compete in the German Masters.

Mr Ellis said: “I’m delighted they are coming down for the opening because they have such busy schedules.

“I used to sponsor a few snooker players over the years so I got to know John and Stephen.

“They’re coming here tonight and on Sunday morning they are flying out to Germany.”

The ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ and ‘Livewire Maguire’ are just two of the star turns lined up for the official opening weekend.

Live music started on Thursday with the best up-and-coming acts from Inverclyde and beyond playing the ‘Kowalski Klub’ followed by Greenock’s Robert Harrison last night.

Others providing entertainment is Bob Dylan tribute act ‘Bobby Does Dylan’ and Coatbridge singer songwriter Pete MacLeod, with support from Rab Allan of Glasvegas, Inverclyde’s own The Beat Movement and The Blue Lenas.

Mr Ellis joked: “It’s going to be a busy weekend – I’ll need a holiday after it.”