A NIGHTCLUB entrepreneur is planning to transform the nightlife in Chester-le-Street.

Billy Walton, who owns Crocodillos nightclub on Front Street, opened a new £750,000 bar in the town last week and plans to transform part of the market place into another nightclub later this year.

Glo, situated to the rear of his current club, is the first new bar to open in the town centre for several years.

Work started on the 300-plus capacity venue last August after planners at Chester-le-Street District Council granted permission.

Now those same planners are expected to rule over Mr Walton's latest plans to build a sports caf and first floor nightclub in the nearby market place.

Planning officers at the Civic Centre have now received detailed proposals for two retail outlets, a large sports caf and a nightclub with a 1,200 capacity.

Despite anticipating some opposition from nearby residents, Mr Walton is confident his two new night spots will transform Chester-le-Street's nightlife for the better.

He said: "We think Chester-le-Street needs more. If there are more quality venues in the town then we believe more people will come from the surrounding areas.

"Many people go to Newcastle and Sunderland, but we believe Chester-le-Street, with a successful Pub Watch scheme run currently with the police, can be seen as the place to be.

"Front Street can be brought up to the same standard as the Riverside, we believe."

Glo will be over 21s only while it is hoped Crocodillos, when the new market place venue opens, will become over 30s.

The town hasn't had any new night spots since JD Wetherspoons pulled out of plans to build a £1m pub at the southern end of Front Street in October 2000.

On that occasion, planners recommended the plans for approval despite opposition from police and some residents, but the pub giant decided to pull out for commercial reasons.

A spokeswoman for Chester-le-Street District Council confirmed its planning department had received plans for the new club, but they were still out for consultation. They are expected to go before the planning committee by the end of May, she added