NIGHTSPOT owners have pulled out of Crewe's controversial Eaton Street leisure development.

The Chicago Rock Club, together with a cafe/restaurant was to have been one of the key units on the 'Signals' site which has been at the centre of a land deal row.

The blow will provide more ammunition for critics who have accused the borough council of selling the land too cheaply and raised doubts over the intentions of buyers Parkridge.

News that the site owners were seeking to sell on the site for more than £6million - which was more than three times the purchase price - sparked more concern.

The nightclub and restaurant, together with a 14 screen cinema and bingo hall, formed the first phase of the leisure development that planners hoped would revitalise the town centre.

But two years have passed since the sale. Planning permission was granted soon after, but not a brick has been laid. Problems over the granting of licences for the club and restaurant were said to be holding things up.

Now nightclub operator, Luminar, has withdrawn from the scheme.

A council statement blamed the company's take-over of rival firm Northern Leisure for the change of heart. Amongst Luminar's new acquisitions was Gregory's nightclub at Nantwich and the company had been assessing whether it should have two of its own clubs located so close together and competing for the same business.

"This has come as a great surprise at such a late stage. There has been some very positive work between council officials and the local police to help to make this all happen," said Deputy Council Leader Maureen Grant.

She hopes the borough will ride out the set back.

"We are talking with the site developer to see what other options they have of replacing the nighclub proposed by Luminar. We would still like to see leisure uses on this site, including a cienma complex, and we will be doing all we can to see that this goes ahead," she added.

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