THERE are too many clubs and pubs in Swindon town centre.

That is the view of Swindon Advertiser readers.

We asked whether the town centre has too many drinking establishments and 76 per cent of readers said yes.

It came after the homeless hostel Threshold Housing Link spoke out against plans to open a nightclub on its doorstep.

Permission has already been granted for a new nightclub, called Liquid And Envy, to open in the ground floor of the Holiday Inn Hotel, in Bridge Street.

This followed news that the Salvation Army was being forced out of its premises in Fleet Street because of trouble from revellers.

And Threshold manager Phil Smith said the hostel in Queen Street could follow.

Our poll included responses given on our website as well as votes cast by phone.

The company in charge of the redevelopment of the town centre is the New Swindon Company.

Rosemary Wells, the firm's business director, said: "This is a very interesting statistic.

"But it's also interesting that these places wouldn't be staying open if there wasn't a demand for them.

"But we are keen to encourage a greater diversity, including places such as cafes and restaurants.

"We want the town centre to appeal to a broader range of people so that there is something for everyone not just pubs.

"The pubs may appeal to part of the population but I think it's about creating the right environment for some of these other operators to come to the town.

"It's part of the aim of the regeneration and it's what we're all about."

Coun Jemima Milton, Swindon Council's cabinet member for local environment and transport, said: "At the end of the day it is not the council that decides whether people open a pub or not.

"If there is demand then the pubs will be there.

"But what we can deal with is the type of pub, not the amount.

"We have to work with pub owners and managers on how we can improve the range and quality of what's on offer in the town centre."

Bernie Maguire, the town centre manager, said: "It's a question of supply and demand.

"None of these pubs are going out of businesses.

"I think it's the fact that so many pubs are in one small area that creates the perception that there are too many.

"In fact we don't actually have that many pubs for a town of our size.

"At Town Centre Management we are working hard to create more of a caf culture in the town by creating more outdoor seating areas."