The revolution may have come too soon for the owners of a vodka bar who hope to open in one of York's trendiest areas - as other businesses have moved to block them over fears of public nuisance.

Thirty-six organisations have organised a petition aimed at stopping Inventive Leisure expanding their Revolution Vodka Bar chain to a converted warehouse in Back Swinegate.

Among the groups who claim the vodka theme bar will threaten the area's atmosphere are a number of other bars and restaurants, including El Piano, Oscar's Wine Bar and The Slug And Lettuce.

Petition organisers, who have collected almost 100 signatures in total, argue that it will increase antisocial problems connected with binge drinking such as public urination, vomit-strewn pavements and vandalism.

But the bar's owners insist it is an upmarket venue. They strenuously deny it would attract problem drinkers.

Magdalena Chavez, spokeswoman for United Traders, said The Quarter, which stages a number of popular events including the Fiesta Latina and the Christmas Festival of Angels, was unsuitable for a bar of this nature.

She said that other businesses, who have worked for five years to develop a "safe neighbourhood", wish the applicants every success, but "just not here". Ms Chavez, who also runs the El Piano caf, said: "Many of us run restaurants and bars. Generally we are happy for new, similar operations to open.

"For example, I have never objected to any applications in the past. On this occasion, however, we simply feel that this type of operation will detract from the area we have worked so hard to develop."

If the attempt to block the licence is unsuccessful, the petitioners are asking magistrates to limit the business's opening hours to 11pm and to ensure that sufficient door staff are employed to maintain safety and order.

Resident Florence Millett said organisers had only a short time to gather names. She added: "But we think that the rapidity with which people have signed up and the wide representation should be taken account of."

A spokesman for Revolution said the bar would be one of the most stylish in York.

"We believe this is an ideal site for the bar," he said.

"It's certainly not designed to encourage binge drinking. We're after a different sort of clientele."

York magistrates are due to decide on what licence to grant Inventive Leisure on Thursday at the Clifford Street court house.

Updated: 14:06 Monday, July 14, 2003