A NEW multi-million pound nightclub in York will trigger a "massive" increase in drunken city centre violence, police warned today.

The stark comments from York's licensing officer cast further doubt on the prospect of the Nexus bar getting the green light to more than double its capacity.

PC Mike Welsh spells out the police stance in a report to city councillors, who will decide the fate of the application on Friday.

He said that the bid to open until 3am was acceptable, but that to extend to 4am during the run-up to Christmas was not, with violence and disorder on the streets peaking in the festive period.

Nexus bosses hope to double capacity to 1,750 - creating York's biggest club in an area dubbed a booze-fuelled hotspot and packed with pubs and clubs.

Club bosses have already raised fears that a proposed new clampdown on "hot spots" could scupper the expansion.

PC Welsh states in the report: "Police feel an increase in occupancy at these premises, from 700 to 1,750 persons will have a massive effect in increasing incidents of violence and disorder in the vicinity."

New police statistics revealed that the Micklegate area, focus of the proposed expansion of Nexus - into the former Presto supermarket in Tanner Row - already has the highest levels of violence in York. Most of it, the report said, is booze-fuelled and occurs between 8pm and 4am.

Objections about crime and violence have also been submitted by several residents and ward councillors living near Nexus.

But Nexus boss Peter Brownsword said the police figures referred to the larger Micklegate area, not just the area outside his club.

He said he had no qualms about the police objections, but argued that officers had no evidence there would be an increase in trouble if the plans were passed.

"They think that more people means more trouble," he said. "We have every confidence in our application and we think it will reduce public disorder throughout the Micklegate area."

He said if the "high quality" scheme gets the nod then safety will improve and more revellers will stay in one place.

Meanwhile, Mr Brownsword today assured residents there would be no lap dancing, pole dancing or strip acts at the new club.

Police raised concerns after reading references in the application to live entertainment, possibly including "semi-nudity" or "provocative actions". But the club boss said: "This is not going to be a lap dancing club." He said the references were intended to cover the club in the event of revellers getting carried away when dancing, and they would be clarified.

Councillors will discuss the Nexus expansion application on Friday at 10am.

Updated: 09:48 Saturday, April 09, 2005