A CONTROVERSIAL Yarm nightspot will reopen tonight after a £2m refurbishment.

The New Cross Keys in the High Street closed three months ago for the refurbishment.

As well as the bar and restaurant downstairs, it now has a club upstairs, including a new £160,000 dance-floor.

Jason Moran, manager of the newly-named Keys, explained that each of the dance floor-panels could be programmed to change colour and display a pattern or picture, using software designed by a French firm.

The refurbishment means the premises can now cater for more than 400 customers, and now emplys twice as many staff as before.

Mr Moran said: "There is a lot more staff now. We now have 20 full-time and 40 part-time staff. It's definitely good news for the town."

Mr Moran said he was aware of the controversy his plans for the refurbishment and application to extend Sunday opening hours to midnight had caused among residents.

Many, fed up with rowdy revellers causing a disturbance in the early hours, even using their gardens as lavatories, were against the plans.

But Mr Moran said he had listened to residents' concerns and had addressed each complaint, and had even funded a police presence for the whole of the High Street.

"Everything that was raised when we met with residents has been addressed, but if they have any other complaints, I'm willing to talk with them about that - but I don't think there will be.

"We have spent an awful lot on the soundproofing, to help keep the residents happy, so no noise leaks out. We have more security than before."

The Keys will re-open tonight at 8pm.