Thousands back plans for return of iconic club

Supporters of the scheme include well-known DJs, 4,000 people who have submitted letters and emails, and 11,000 people who have joined a group on Facebook.

Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules said the original club was "an icon and institution" and added: "It's amazing that, following the fire, Gatecrasher is looking to step back from the jaws of disaster and develop a new site in Sheffield."

The plans involve transforming the ground level of the iconic "cheese grater" car park in Arundel Gate, opposite where the original club was in Arundel Street, into a 2,000-capacity nightclub with a 6am licence Monday to Saturday.

Gatecrasher boss Simon Raine said: "To have 15,000 people supporting our bid in just a few weeks is unbelievable and we can't thank people enough.

"It is clear that our return to the city is welcomed and we just hope we get the planning permission we need to build the club."

So far just 14 people have written objecting to the plans, due to be decided later this month.

Mr Raine said most of the objectors were concerned about noise. He claimed the design would contain noise inside the club and noise outside would be strictly managed by security staff.