In what could prove to be the resort's replacement for the much-missed Winter Gardens, the floor from the Kingsway venue, which was knocked down in 2007, has been fitted in the Pier's restaurant.
And the new managers say they have been approached by people hoping to bring back the Bag's Ball.
New leaseholder Alistair Clugston – who runs the Old Barn Inn in Tealby – has taken on the venue and plans to make it "much more than just a nightclub".
He said: "I want to make this landmark a magnet for the area – somewhere that all local people can enjoy and be proud of."
The Pier will serve food between 11am and 9pm as the front building is renamed Tides Bar and Restaurant, making the building a place for families once again.
In time, Mr Clugston also hopes to open the main hall for conferences, community events and even kids parties to make the building a "24/7 venue", he said.
Cleethorpes Pier is one of just 58 left in the UK but it has been closed since previous leaseholders surrendered their licence in September following a catalogue of serious crime and disorder.
As reported, the venue was closed for 28 days after two men leapt from the end of the Pier – one breaking both of his legs – to escape pursuers after an altercation at the venue in the early hours of August 29.
Within weeks, co-directors Steve Calladine and Stephen Grevitt decided to pull out of the venue altogether.
But, despite its chequered past, the future looks bright for the venue once more – a total of 29,000 LED lights have been installed and the view onto the Humber will be widened.
Mr Clugston said: "I am looking at restoring the iconic status that this venue once had.
"I have used local contractors for the refurbishment, I will use local suppliers for the food and it will create jobs for local people – I want it to give the area a lift.
"People are staying in Britain for holidays during this recession but not every town has a pier.
"The town has won the In Bloom competition, the seaside is beautifully kept and it deserves to have a building like this one which will make it the envy of other seaside towns."
Ward councillor Leanor Pidgen (Lib, Croft Baker) said: "I really hope that the ideas the new management have work and the Pier can offer family entertainment again.
"I am pleased it will open in the day and use local suppliers and, fingers crossed, it will become a real draw for Cleethorpes."
Mr Clugston also said that he was keen to address the problems that had previously marred its reputation.
He added: "We are working closely with the police, council and fire brigade to make sure that we stay within the law.
"People will not be able to walk in blind drunk and cause trouble – we don't want their custom."
Mr Clugston's plans for the nightclub include having up to double the amount of door staff as before, introducing a dress code and operating an over-21 policy for the majority of events.
No comments:
Post a Comment