DRINKERS and dancers are overlooking Bolton's nightlife for venues in Manchester, a nightclub owner claims today.

John Musso, whose Temple and Club Mezzo nightclubs were wrecked in a mystery blaze last year, said the town is failing revellers.

Mr Musso, aged 42, added: "A few years ago Bolton was leading the way in the provincial towns but now the figures are falling and people are staying away in favour of Manchester.

"More and more people are going to Manchester and we want to get them back into Bolton."

But Bolton's town centre night-life could receive a big boost in the next few weeks -- if Bolton Council chiefs agree.

Mr Musso has applied for an extended entertainment licence for his venue Bar Peru, enabling revellers to be able to party until 6am.

The Manor Street venue is also set to receive a new look -- and a new name. It will be called The Lounge, once first-floor refurbishments are completed. The application will go before magistrates at the next licensing meeting.

Mr Musso said both the Temple and Club Mezzo had 6am licences.

He added: "We need a bar culture in Bolton - we want it to be like Manchester and if this application is successful then we can really start to compete. It can only be good for the town."

The Temple and Club Mezzo are due to open again in the late summer. Police are still investigating the fire which struck last October.

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