THE owner of an Alton nightclub has spoken out in a bid to scotch rumours that his premises are about to close. Steve Street says that not only is Minnesotas here to stay, but he has big plans for its expansion. He has become increasingly concerned about malicious rumours being spread throughout the town, in the form of literature through people's doors and gossip, that the Minnesotas site has been earmarked for development - either in the form of high rise flats or a fast-food drive-through. Some people even believe the Upper Turk Street nightclub has lost its licence, which Mr Street firmly denies. "This is far from the truth - in fact, I am currently in negotiations with Coors to buy the site," said an indignant Mr Street, who is about to apply for a new licence which, if granted, will enable Minnesotas to stay open until 4 am, seven days a week. A property owner and financial adviser who has another nighclub in Fareham, Mr Street has owned Minnesotas for the past four-and- a-half years during which time he and his staff have worked hard to build up the business. The club now has more than 1,000 social and corporate members and attracts customers ranging in age from 18 to 50. And, he says, he has a very good relationship with the local police. "When I bought Minnesotas, four-and-a-half years ago, it was a nightmare place - there were fights every night, but that's changed. I run Minnesotas with an iron fist - if anybody is caught behaving badly they are barred, and I mean barred for life. Even if I hear that somebody has been kicking off in the town they will be barred because I won't tolerate it." Mr Street believes Alton needs Minnesotas. "The kids need somewhere to go at night," he says. Minnesotas is currently open from 6 pm to 1 am on a Wednesday night, from 6 pm to 2 am on Thursdays, and from 2 pm to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Forced, like all drinking and entertainment venues throughout the district, to re-apply for a licence under the new licensing laws, Mr Street says that if granted an extension until 4 am each night, he is only likely to use the privilege on a Friday and Saturday. "I don't want to stay open until 4 am, but if all the pubs in Alton are going to be open until late, we will have to do the same," he said. "Rumours that we are going to close are a pack of lies and they damage business. We have been here a long time and have done a good job. We have kept things in check and spent a lot of money doing so. So rumours like this do gripe," added Mr Street, who says he is seeking to buy the freehold of the site from the owner, Coors Brewery. According to Mr Street, he does not want the whole of the 3.5 acre site which lies opposite the brewery gates, but would be content with the club building and an acre of land to include the existing 22 space car park behind and an adjoining plot of land which would provide space for a further 40 vehicles. The other 2.5 acres nearest the town could then be sold off for development which, Mr Street believes, would most likely to be commercial since the site has not been identified in East Hampshire's new district plan for residential development. If he is successful in his purchase bid, Mr Street is planning to invest a further £200,000 to refurbish Minnesotas and to build a new cocktail bar at one end of the building and a vodka feeder at the other. To those who doubt the long term future of his club, he also points out that he has a further four years left to run on what is a renewable lease and that anybody else wanting to develop the site would have to deal with him as a sitting tenant. It is not a threat, but Mr Street wants to make it clear that Minnesotas is booming and he intends that it should remain that way.
