A CLUB boss is aiming to transform a market town's nightlife.

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

Glo, at the back 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 the planners are expected to look at Mr Walton's latest plans to build a sports caf and first floor nightclub in the nearby market place.

Officers have received detailed proposals for two retail outlets, a large sports caf and a nightclub with a 1,200 capacity.

Despite anticipating some opposition from residents, Mr Walton is confident his two new nightspots will transform the town's nightlife for the better.

He said yesterday: "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 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 and, when the market place venue opens, it is hoped Crocodillos will be for over- 30s.

The town has not had any new nightspots 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 company decided to pull out for commercial reasons.

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