SCORES of residents have spoken out against plans to create a new £1 million state-of-the-art nightclub in the former Gala Bingo Hall in the town centre.

A letter with 38 signatures has been sent to Redditch Council over an application for a public entertainment licence, which will be debated at a licensing committee meeting next Wednesday.

Millennium Leisure (UK) Ltd, which runs Euphoria Nightclub in Bromsgrove, wants to transform the Church Road venue into a nightclub employing 40 people.

But concerns over noise, rowdy people in the early hours of the morning and the club being too close to people's homes have been raised.

Operations manager for Millennium Leisure, Rob Parker, said residents had nothing to worry about.

He said: "We are a very professional organisation with a good security team and we are very well respected.

"As regards the noise level, the building was designed for public entertainment and the walls are three times thicker than normal.

"Residents will have nothing to worry about."

Company director Mark Mifflin said: "When I was opening up Euphoria in Bromsgrove I had calls from Redditch people who were glad they had somewhere else to go.

"The nightclub will be an asset to the town and be a major attraction that will stop townsfolk going to Birmingham for their leisure time."