AN Old Town nightspot is to close its doors to make way for a redevelopment programme.
Studio nightclub, which has been dogged by complaints of underage drinking and lax security, will serve its final drink on May 4.
It will make way for an ambitious redevelopment programme on the Hoopers Place site to transform it into a centre of upmarket shops and restaurants.
Planning permission for the work was granted in January of last year.
An application for a review of Studio's licence to sell alcohol was scheduled to be heard on April 14.
The application included statements by police officers relating to an operation on November 24 in which a number of underage drinkers were identified.
advertisement
There were also reports from the mother of a 15 year-old boy who was twice allowed into the club and served alcohol, and from a neighbour who reported fights and drunken behaviour outside the club.
Richard James, of Richard James Estate Agents and a co-owner of the site, said that the decision to close the nightclub was not related to the application review.
He said: "This has been on the cards for a long time but we felt that now was the right time to go ahead with it.
"There is a lot of redevelopment going on in Old Town and this project fits well within that redevelopment.
"My partners and I live in Old Town and are keen to attract the right sort of businesses to enhance the area."
The landmark tower of the former Belmont Brewery site will be transformed with a wall of glass as the centrepiece to the 21,000 sq ft site.
It will be arranged over two levels, including a roof terrace and a central courtyard.
Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said that he was delighted the scheme was getting underway.
He said: "We welcome this decision to start on the restoration of the building and are pleased with the development.
"It is very important that the momentum of the restoration of Old Town is continued."
The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.
I see they're all keeping the flats/apartments element of this new 'development' very quiet...
It should also be apparent to people who live in Old Town that there are already numerous prime retail premises empty, and have been for many months (years in some cases).
[quote]"It is very important that the momentum of the restoration of Old Town is continued."[/quote]
Unless he's referring to an over-proliferation of flats (many of which are now standing empty and unsold), I wouldn't actually say it's started, let alone built up any momentum.
I see they're all keeping the flats/apartments element of this new 'development' very quiet...
It should also be apparent to people who live in Old Town that there are already numerous prime retail premises empty, and have been for many months (years in some cases).
"It is very important that the momentum of the restoration of Old Town is continued."
Unless he's referring to an over-proliferation of flats (many of which are now standing empty and unsold), I wouldn't actually say it's started, let alone built up any momentum.
I can't see how trouble and underaged drinking at the place is news?!?!?
I remember going there at 16 and 17, with everyone else i knew, also underage.
If it wasn't there, it was Cairos, Kaos and Brunel.
There were fights inside and outside all of them just about every week.
It's just goes with the territory of everyone, so say, growing up.
I can't see how trouble and underaged drinking at the place is news?!?!?
I remember going there at 16 and 17, with everyone else i knew, also underage.
If it wasn't there, it was Cairos, Kaos and Brunel.
There were fights inside and outside all of them just about every week.
It's just goes with the territory of everyone, so say, growing up.
Just to add to Big Mac’s comments – all these new flats, which bring in plenty of easy extra cash for the council, also mean more cars which mean the already overcrowded areas will get worse.
Has this been thought through properly?
I doubt it!
Just to add to Big Mac’s comments – all these new flats, which bring in plenty of easy extra cash for the council, also mean more cars which mean the already overcrowded areas will get worse.
Has this been thought through properly?
I doubt it!
[quote][bold]emmylou83[/bold] wrote:
Have I missed something it says shops and restaurants not houses/flats?[/quote] Of course those pushing through the development would only mention the things they think people want to hear.
This proposal/development has been mooted for several years now - and has always included top floor flats/apartments.
They just know that everyone is now sick to death of hearing how every new 'development' is really just a front to get more flats approved by the Planning Department.
emmylou83 wrote:
Have I missed something it says shops and restaurants not houses/flats?
Of course those pushing through the development would only mention the things they think people want to hear.
This proposal/development has been mooted for several years now - and has always included top floor flats/apartments.
They just know that everyone is now sick to death of hearing how every new 'development' is really just a front to get more flats approved by the Planning Department.
[quote][bold]Mick out West[/bold] wrote:
Probably be Flats on top of Shops and Restaurants.[/quote] 'Probably'?
You mean, you don't already KNOW that's what's going to happen?
Seriously?
Mick out West wrote:
Probably be Flats on top of Shops and Restaurants.
'Probably'?
You mean, you don't already KNOW that's what's going to happen?
Posted by: SpeakUp, Swindon on 11:46pm Tue 8 Apr 08
Let me get this right - we DON'T want shops. We DON'T want flats. We DON'T want restaurants. We really DON'T want a nightclub. So presumably all we DO want is to flatten the building (and the rest of them too?) and have a huge tarmac space.
Cool. Loads of room to park our cars, at last.
Shame we'll have nowhere to go after we parked. Hey ho. Can't please everyone, I guess.
Let me get this right - we DON'T want shops. We DON'T want flats. We DON'T want restaurants. We really DON'T want a nightclub. So presumably all we DO want is to flatten the building (and the rest of them too?) and have a huge tarmac space.
Cool. Loads of room to park our cars, at last.
Shame we'll have nowhere to go after we parked. Hey ho. Can't please everyone, I guess.
SpeakUp - Old Town desperately needs new, original and independent shops.
Old Town also desperately needs high quality bakers, butchers and fruit & veg shops.
Old Town also needs high quality restaurants (not more Indian/Italian/Takea
ways).
What Old Town does not need is yet another block of flats that is waived through Planning Committee because it has retail space included but is the last of the developer's actual interests or concerns.
SpeakUp - Old Town desperately needs new, original and independent shops.
Old Town also desperately needs high quality bakers, butchers and fruit & veg shops.
Old Town also needs high quality restaurants (not more Indian/Italian/Takea
ways).
What Old Town does not need is yet another block of flats that is waived through Planning Committee because it has retail space included but is the last of the developer's actual interests or concerns.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
