TWO new East Lancashire night spots are holding VIP launches on the same night.

But today, staff at XPO in Burnley and Utopia, Blackburn, said the May 2 clash was more down to coincidence than competition.

XPO, based in Burnley's Aenon Chapel, will be the replacement for the 21-year-old Angels club in Curzon Street, which is set to be bulldozed to make way for a supermarket.

While Utopia is the new name which will be given to the popular Peppermint Place club, in Blackburn town centre, after its relaunch.

Peppermint Place manager Keith Lamb said the VIP opening night of Utopia had been planned since early January.

He said: "It is definitely a coincidence rather than something we have done on purpose.

"I think if anyone is to blame it would be Burnley Council, who delayed the opening of XPO.

"They simply wanted to open as soon as they possible could.

"In any case, I think we are aiming at different markets. XPO hope to attract a dance crowd while our clientele is mainstream."

A spokesman for XPO confirmed that the clash had not been deliberate and agreed that the markets were very different.

Utopia's opening night is an over-25's invitation-only event and features an appearance by soul legend Edwin Starr.

The XPO VIP launch will be opened by the Mayor of Burnley and will be followed by a series of new nights featuring top name DJs.

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