THE man planning to open a Coyote Bar in York's Micklegate today hit back at critics, claiming it would combat binge drinking rather than encourage it.

He said the girls who will dance on the bar will be the highest paid bar tenders in York, earning up to £25,000 per annum when fully-qualified.

Andy Billingham, director of Coyote Bar, is behind the scheme to turn The Bedroom near Micklegate Bar into a bar based on the theme of the 2000 Hollywood film, Coyote Ugly. It is set to open in September.

Some neighbouring residents and councillors expressed concern about any development which might increase the problem of rowdy, drunken and boisterous behaviour along the notorious Micklegate Run.

But Mr Billingham said in a letter to the Evening Press that the company's first action upon acquiring the site had been to increase the prices of all drinks on offer in the bar.

"We removed their advertising that related to multi-buy offers and excessively discounted drinks," he said.

He said the company fully supported any initiative to curb binge drinking and antisocial behaviour. "It is not a market we wish to operate in," he said.

The intention was to break the Micklegate Run and provide a high-quality entertainment venue, where customers would be encouraged to stay all evening rather than rush off to the next bar, as currently happened.

He said the staff would be professional bar tenders, who were also extremely competent dancers and singers. They would go through an intense eight-week training programme prior to working in the bars.

Mr Billingham said: "They will be among the best bar tenders in the city and without doubt the highest paid. We are not forcing anyone to do anything. Our staff will be respected and respectful."

Updated: 10:21 Friday, April 22, 2005