I suppose (and this may sound controversial to some members here), if you don't like the place that's opening and feel you need to berate the place because it attracts the kind of people you don't like, then simply don't go in.
The fact is that the opening of the bar will employ a number of people, which has to be a good thing?
It should generate income for the town as well, given the scale of the development across the river and that it is a widely known brand of venue. I know from personal experience that for anything like this I'd have had to else where, Newcastle, Bentley Bridge for example for an eating out, cinema and post movie drink.
I can only see but good things for this......Yes there may be familiar faces as you put it, which is great, but you may find some new ones too.
Change is inevitable.......Embrace it.