By Sara Oliver

A CHICAGO Rock Cafe is bidding to open in Trowbridge.

Luton-based Luminar Leisure wants to spend £1m creating a 500-place venue in premises between Silver Street and the park, which would open from 11am to 1am.

The scheme comes as vital decisions are being made on whether the town has reached saturation point with nightspots.

Concern is growing about the amount of late-night crime and vandalism happening week after week, which is being blamed on drunks leaving the town's 11 late-night clubs and pubs.

Calls are now being made for no more late-night liquor licences to be allowed.

The leisure group is keen to emphasise its venue will be different and cater for all ages, and will not add to the late-night problems.

Luminar director Steve Dennis will visit Trowbridge on November 2 to talk to town and district councillors, the police and other civic leaders about the cafe plan.

He will tell the town that the company already has 51 cafes and is aiming to have 60 open by the end of the year.

The company says the music played at the cafes is more for the 20 to 50 age group than clubbers.

Live music would be staged occasionally, mainly from tribute bands.

Deputy mayor Jeff Osborn has called for the cafe scheme to be given a fair hearing.

He said: "When we first heard about it we said no, but now we have had more information we are happy to reconsider, and we welcome the opportunity to talk to them."

Mr Osborn has been leading the calls for a clampdown on late- night licences and recently likened the antics in Trowbridge at night to the Mediterranean party isle of Ibiza.

He said: "This company is going to spend a lot of money bringing the Chicago Rock Cafe to Trowbridge.

"People who have been to their cafes say they are something like Wetherspoon's but with music and dancing.

"It could well be that Trowbridge would benefit from something like this."

It is hoped the company will also contribute towards the town's security camera network due to go up shortly.