A RESTAURANT manager has angrily dismissed criticism of his plan to open a £250,000 town centre nightclub.

During a licensing committee meeting yesterday that approved his application, Cllr Angela Claydon said it was ‘inappropriate’ to have a nightclub opposite the proposed £25m University Church of England Academy.

She feared the club would be a ‘glorified knocking shop’.

But, speaking after the meeting, Sam Haque countered: “I was shocked. It made me very upset. I never anticpiated that coming from a councillor.

“I’m a resident here too, I’m a tax payer. She is a councillor representing me too.”

Mr Haque has vowed to give Ellesmere Port town centre a nightclub to be proud of after being given the green light to open his venture.

The owner of Saffron in Whitby Road will be launching Club Xes in the upstairs area of the premises in early September.

He was granted a premises license by Cheshire West and Chester Council during a committee meeting at the Civic Hall yesterday, albeit with vastly reduced opening hours.

The club, which will have a strict over 25 and over admission policy, will be open from 10pm-12.30am on Thursday and Sunday, and 10pm-1.30am on Friday and Saturday.

The majority of residents were opposed to the plan because they believe the problems encountered when the previous nightclub was open under different owners, which included revellers fighting and urinating in the street, would reoccur.

Some also raised concerns over the name of the club and its provocative signage.

Mr Haque is vowing to prove to residents that his club is completely different.

Although he wanted longer opening hours, he is delighted that he can finally get his venture off the ground.

Mr Haque told the Pioneer: “It’s a step in the right direction, for a minute I was doubtful.

“At least I can open and prove to the people it’s not what they think it’s going to be.

“I’m not in it just to make money, I want to give residents something nice and something they can be proud of.”

As part of the license conditions, no entertainment of an adult nature is permitted at the premises and the signage will be amended.