A NEW nightclub is being built beside Victoria Square's £1.5m continental piazza.

The club - on the former Empire cinema site in Widnes Road - will have space for 1,000 people.

In an exclusive interview, rugby legend, Jim Mills, revealed his name will be above the door. He said: "The town needs a new nightclub. It is an exciting venture.

"It will be a pub in the daytime, serving food and a nightclub seven days a week."

Jim and his partner, Sammy Evans, are still in negotiation with Halton Council but hope to open their new entertainment venue next summer.

It is set to replace the pair's 24-year-old Top of the Town nightclub in Albert Road.

"It will create new jobs," said Jim.

"It will be somewhere where young people and all generations can go out and enjoy themselves in nice surroundings."

He plans to invite the local community to suggest a name for the new club in a competition.

Councillors gave the nightclub the green light on Monday evening, despite 12 letters from neighbouring residents and businesses.

They fear the new development could create noise, disturbance, lack of parking, increased traffic and a drop in their property values.

A 107-name petition, signed by residents in Frederick Street, Milton Road and Charles Street was handed in at the development, control and licensing committee meeting.

Widnes Regeneration, a partnership between Halton Council and St Modwen developers, won outline planning permission for a two storey nightclub on land beside Broseley House.

A 900 metre ground floor is likely to accommodate the club with office space upstairs.