Plan for Whitchurch ex-nightclub to be antiques centre
The new owners of a former nightclub hope to transform it into an antique and collectors' centre by the end of the summer.
The Club, on Green End, in Whitchurch, has lain empty for about two years, but it has now been bought by local men, illustrator Paul Sample and Martin Cox, owner of the White Bear.
The venue, formerly known as the Caddy Shack, closed amid complaints from neighbours of noise and frequent fights in the street.
The new owners had originally hoped to open their business in the spring, but say it will more likely be by the end of July.
The idea is that several antique traders could rent space on the ground floor, while the town's Blackberry Fair group will take over the first floor and hold workshops and arts activities.
Mr Sample said: "We are way behind schedule – we have only just signed the contract. It will be the summer by the time everything is sorted. We are probably looking at the end of July.
"We have got to clear some stuff out, decorate and do the lighting. One of the things we want it to do is to attract tourism. Tourists just love antiques."
The owners have remained tight-lipped about how much the property was bought for and do not yet know how much they will need to invest in it.
Mr Cox said: "It has been empty for a long time and I don't think people in Whitchurch want a club back. I think they had a few problems with anti-social behaviour when it was open.
"You need a bigger town than Whitchurch to accommodate a club to get enough people using it," he added.
Therese Hickland, chairman of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade, said she was pleased that an empty building will reopen and thinks it will become a 'great community service'.
The club's former bosses were forced to attend a licensing review in 2009 following concerns from neighbours over noise and disorder.
The bosses were allowed to keep their license following the review, but were required to fit double doors to stop noise escaping.
Former licensee Liane Dooley said the reasons for her surrendering the licence were due to falling attendance numbers, which she blamed on the smoking ban and supermarkets selling cheap alcohol, rather than the review.
