ONE of the region's biggest bar operators is to further expand its empire next week, as the North-East nightlife boom continues.

Ultimate Leisure is adding to its 23 venues with the opening of a 1,100 capacity themed rodeo bar, Coyote Wild, in South Shields town centre on Thursday.

The company has specialised in providing large capacity watering holes on established drinking circuits.

Its latest addition will run on similar lines to the group's other popular nightspots, such as Chase and Sea on Newcastle Quayside, Blubambu in the city's Bigg Market, and Klute in Durham, with the emphasis on entertainment.

The firm's finance director, Craig Bell, said: "Most young people are willing to pay if they are being entertained. It is about providing the right atmosphere - if I wouldn't drink there, then who would? The whole board of directors has that mentality."

In the six months to June 2002, the company reported operating profits of £5.2m on turnover of £20.6m, an increase in profits of 23 per cent on the year before.