DEVELOPERS hoping to turn a former theatre into a nightspot have hit out at claims by local residents that there are already too many nightclubs in the town.

Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Friday to discuss plans by Northern County Leisure to convert the old Globe Theatre in Stockton High Street. Residents living nearby feel there are too many nightclubs in the area and say the council should look at the possibility of re-opening the building as a theatre.

Jonathan Marsh, from Northern County Leisure said: "We are aware there will be objections to the proposals, many of which may be emotionally stimulated.

"There is, in fact, only one nightclub currently operating at the opposite end of the High Street.

"Our proposal is for a multi entertainment complex which also includes a daytime use restaurant. It will extend the focus of the High Street and give a boost to businesses, particularly the pubs and bars at the north end."

The Globe began life as a cinema in the early 1900s. It was rebuilt in the 1920s and in 1935 was shaped into the building it is today. In 1938, it became an ABC and became a combined cinema and theatre after the Second World War.

The Globe had a brief resurgence as a music venue in the 1970s, staging acts such as Mud and the Bay City Rollers.

By 1977 it was a Mecca Bingo Hall, and remained so until Rank moved to new premises a few years ago. The building is now boarded up.

Mr Marsh said: "The building proved to be unsustainable as a theatre well over 20 years ago. The situation still prevails, with cinemas well catered for in the area, and a theatre of this capacity is just not viable without major subsidies. The council must have considered this argument before granting it planning permission to become a bingo hall.

"If we are given the go-ahead I cannot stress enough that all of the original fittings in the building will remain."