A MUSICIAN fears a return to binge-drinking and vomiting when a new sports bar and nightclub open in the former Bar Risa and Jongleurs premises in Oxford.

Cavendish Bars are opening Wahoo Oxford downstairs, while the top floor of the venue will run as a comedy venue.

And Lawrence Tosh, a promoter for Cavendish, said he planned to run a school disco-style night called St Sinian’s at least once a month.

But James Young, 57, of Upper Fisher Row, opposite the venue in Hythe Bridge Street, said: “Unf-ortunately this will lead to a return to industrialised drinking in the area and the residents are sick of it.

“There will inevitably be boozed-up youngsters making a noise and behaving in an anti-social way.

“When people visit me from abroad they are amazed to be confronted with drunken people vomiting on the pavement.

“As a musician I want people to have a good time, but this kind of venue is all about selling large volumes of alcohol to make money and that will lead to trouble.

“This building could have been turned into a canal museum, or something that would enhan-ce the city.

“There are hundreds of people living around here — it’s a semi-residential area and they will all be affected.”

A launch party for Wahoo is scheduled for April 1, and operators said the venue would bring “a touch of US West Coast cool” to the area.

Mr Tosh said: “I met my wife at a school disco event – it’s harmless fun and we will appeal to the clientele to keep the noise down when they leave.”

Ward councillor Colin Cook said: “The police will be keeping a very close eye on the new venue and both the police and the licensing department of the city council will be proactive in making sure that the conditions of the licence are met and kept.”

Cavendish spokesman Russell Nisbet said: “We always try to act responsibly. Noise complaints are the last thing we want and we take every step we can to keep them to a minimum.”