A NIGHTCLUB and music venue is planning to move into a former Chinese restaurant.

The Haunt is looking to move into what used to be Days Oriental Buffet in East Street, Brighton.

It comes as Grosvenor Casino plans to take over the Haunt’s space in Pool Valley.

Previously The Haunt was going to move into Dirty Blonde, also in East Street, but the empty Days venue in the same building was considered more suitable.

When it was first subdivided in 2000, the venue was The Toad pub.

It became the Days Oriental Buffet in 2009.

Days closed at the end of July last year, owing the city council more than £130,000 in business rates.

Planning applications for both venues are set to be decided by the city council’s planning committee.

Regency ward councillors Alex Phillips and Tom Druitt are opposed to the plans.

Councillor Phillips said: “As ward councillors we feel that the cumulative impact zone is being compromised by piecemeal planning and licensing applications.

“This is leading to the breach of planning objectives.

“This includes more noise, more antisocial behaviour and more police required at the southern end of East Street, all affecting residents’ quality of life immensely.”

The cumulative impact zone controls the number of pubs, clubs, bars and off-licences allowed in the city centre.

An anonymous objection on the council website said: “East Street is a well known high street with retail shopping units and licensed restaurants.

“A public house/dance venue would not be in keeping with the high street environs and no doubt would add risk to the vandalism in the area.

“As a local resident in BN1 I, along with many others, already have to cope with the drunken antisocial behaviour, fighting, screaming, vandalism and street urination and vomit we see around the area as a result.”

Planning officers recommend councillors approve the application, as it would keep the live music venue.

The Old Market theatre and music venue in Hove has objected to The Haunt being replaced by a casino.

Bosses wrote: “A live music venue such as The Haunt is one that creates the opportunity for musicians to feed, sustain and replenish the local arts and music scene.

“Its loss could easily see a significant collapse of the local industry.

“The presence of a music venue such as The Haunt enriches lives. Conversely we feel it is an accepted and non-controversial fact that gambling and casinos can and do have a distinctly damaging effect on people’s lives.”

Conservative councillor Joe Miller said: “I wholly object to the loss of this music venue in the city.

“There are very few of this size in our city. As such this space provides a crucial space for step-laddering audience sizes for budding artists.”

Both applications are due to be debated on Wednesday at Hove Town Hall.