DEVELOPERS want to demolish the out-of-town Atlantis nightclub to make way for 192 flats.

Managers of the building have decided it has no future use after 100 different groups turned down the chance to give it a new lease of life as a leisure facility.

The developers, No Problem Ltd and the Exclusive Corporation, have applied to Bolton Council for outline planning permission to build a number of buildings to house 116 two bedroom flats and 76 with one bedroom.

The £5 million Waters Meeting Road venue, one of the most expensive nightclubs in the region, opened in a blaze of publicity in 1999, billing itself as a "superclub for the millennium". It attracted top stars such as Busted and Girls Aloud. It had a capacity for 2,500 clubbers and featured six bars, two dancefloors and a VIP lounge.

But it closed earlier this year because of financial problems after failing to attract enough clubbers.

In a letter to planning bosses, Brett Chambers, from London-based Capital Retail Property Consultants, said the company had contacted 100 different firms in a bid to find a new use for the building but had found no takers.

He said: "Nightclubs have realised that out-of-town locations are inappropriate for their operations as their customers have to drive to them which puts off many who have been out for a drink beforehand.

"We have not been able to find a tenant to occupy the space even on the flexible terms we have been prepared to offer."

Earlier this year the Bolton Pentecostal Church expressed an interest in buying the building. No-one at the church was available for comment on the latest plans.

Residents occupying the new flats would have a number of amenities on their doorstep.

The Valley is home to a number of leisure outlets including Esporta Health and Fitness Club, the Cotton Kier pub, Spice Valley Indian restaurant and Frankie and Benny's restaurant.

Two other major schemes in the area have been given the go-ahead by planners.

A 128-flat development is to be built on Eagley Brook Way and a 3,800 square metre office block, is to be erected as a new home for Bolton Social Services and the Bolton Business Venture.