A BUSINESSMAN was stunned when he was asked for his reaction to plans for a three- storey nightspot on Yarm High Street.

The reason for Derek Campbell's shock was that the site earmarked for the new development is his tyre and exhaust centre.

Mr Campbell claims landlord, Maher Entertainment, owned by nightclub boss Javed Majid, failed to tell him of plans to level his 22-year-old business.

News of the planned wine bar and restaurant came in the a letter from Stockton Borough Council's planning department, asking him for his views.

Maher bought the 48-year-old's ground and building lease about a year ago.

Family man Mr Campbell has made no plans to give up his business or to retire before he is 60.

He said: "We don't want to go anywhere, we have no intention of going. As far as we are concerned, we have just spent the last 22 years building up a very successful business and we have a really big customer base.

"The thing is too, we attract business into the High Street. People leave their cars here for a tyre or exhaust to be fitted and shop in the High Street.''

He has the backing of local people. Gwen Porter, chairman of Yarm Town Council, said: "This business is essential to the town and causes no problems and Mr Campbell is one of the nicest, pleasantest businessmen you could deal with.

"But we totally object to the proposed plan. Yarm has sufficient of this type of premises there is no need for another one.

"It would be in the wrong location, being in the middle of a residential area and would not be in keeping,'' she said.

"We are totally opposed to it.''

Maher says the restaurant would create 50 full-time jobs, with 150 jobs involved in its construction.

"We are aware of the objections that have been raised by the local residents in relation to the planning application for a proposed restaurant in the High Street, Yarm, which has been submitted by Mr Javed Majid's company, Maher Entertainments Ltd.''

A statement from the company said that the concept for the restaurant was made in response to the success of other businesses in the high street.

The planning application is expected to be discussed by councillors at Stockton in October