ONE of Europe's biggest nightclubs is opening a new venue in Brighton.

Liverpool-based Cream has spent months searching the South of England for the perfect spot to open its next club and bypassed London to choose Brighton instead.

Now club bosses have chosen the Aquarium Terraces development on Brighton seafront as Cream's southern home.

And Brighton-based DJ Fatboy Slim, alias Norman Cook, is lined up to do a regular spot.

Norman said: "It will be great to have such a prestigious club like Cream with its

reputation in Brighton.

"This is the first one outside of Liverpool and it's great that they've chosen us. It just shows that Brighton is the clubbing capital of the South.

"I'm sure Brighton will welcome Cream with open arms."

The prime, multi-million pound development opposite the Palace Pier will include restaurants and bars as well as a nightclub and is due to open in the summer.

Planning permission has already been given for a nightclub but an application to double the floorspace to accommodate 2,000 people was rejected by Brighton and Hove Council.

Developers Compco have appealed against the decision and an inquiry to be heard by a government planning inspector will start at Brighton Town Hall on February 15.

If the appeal is won, the club would be the biggest in Brighton.

The largest club on the South Coast is currently the Event 2 in West Street which can hold 1,927 people.

A Cream spokeswoman said: "Cream has signed heads of terms on a site planning application for a club venture in Brighton.

"We are very happy and looking forward to opening this year."

The details of the lease have been agreed and Cream will go ahead with its

club, subject to licensing and permission to increase the club's capacity.

Compco spokesman Anthony Burns said: "We are extremely pleased that such a prime club as Cream has made a commitment to the Aquarium Terraces.

"We are extremely confident that the Aquarium Terraces will become a flagship development of national, if not, international significance."

Brighton and Hove Council confirmed Cream planned to open at the Aquarium Terraces.

Cabinet culture councillor Ian Duncan said: "It's great that Cream is interested in coming to Brighton.

"But the council questions the suitability of the Terraces for a large nightclub of the type Cream operates in Liverpool.

"We'll have to wait for the outcome of the forthcoming planning appeal lodged by the developers.

"But Cream is the globally recognised brand leader in its field and Brighton would be a venue of national importance."

Since it opened in Liverpool, Cream has grown into a massive enterprise, holding nights all over Europe and issuing its own merchandise.

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