DURHAM MP Gerry Steinberg has added his weight to the opposition of plans for an Australian-themed nightspot in the city centre.

The Labour MP is urging magistrates to refuse a drinks licence for the Walkabout bar planned for the Robins Cinema, in North Road.

He also hopes magistrates will reject Regent Inns' appeal against Durham City Council's refusal to grant a public entertainment licence. The London firm's plans have attracted opposition from police, residents, the City of Durham Trust and neighbouring nightclubs DH1 and Caf Rock.

Despite its strong concerns about an increase in drunken trouble in the early hours at weekends, the city council gave the bar planning permission although it refused the entertainment licence.

Mr Steinberg said revellers already caused a great deal of anti-social behaviour in the North Road area and residents endured dreadful experiences.

"The approval of such licences, in what is yet another nightclub-type establishment catering for approximately 700 people, would only serve to intensify the nuisance being experienced,"he said.

"Such an influx of people, in what is already a heavily populated area on an evening, especially in the early hours, could be the end of the road for efforts to revitalise the area. Demand for late-night entertainment can already be fully met by establishments presently operating in the city."

Mr Steinberg said he feared Durham would become "nothing more than a focal point for revellers intent on a wild night out".

He said that he had genuine fears for public safety and the damaging effect the nightspot would have on neighbours.

City of Durham Trust chairman Roger Cornwell welcomed the MP's stance.

"I am very pleased. He was always against the nightspot planned for the Palladium.

"If he is against Walkabout he has seen the logic that the uses planned for both buildings are unsuitable," he said.

Regent Inns says its plans will bring £2m of investment to the city and help regenerate North Road.

It claimed when it applied for the entertainment licence that rather than add to violence and disorder the planned bar would have a relaxing ambience that would help calm the area