Shrewsbury nightclub to open tonight

A new Shrewsbury nightclub is to open tonight, creating about 50 jobs after a town centre building was given a £250,000 makeover.

Earlier this month it was revealed Efektiv Leisure Ltd had bought the lease for the former Liquid and Diva nightclub in the town's Raven Meadows.

Paul Cowen, new general manager of the club, said it would be called Onyx and Blu and had a new colour scheme, carpets, lighting rigs and projections. He said the venue, a mainstream nightclub, would open with a VIP launch party tonight. Doors will open at 9pm.

He said it was planned to open the club from 10pm to 3am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Efektiv, based in Luton, bought the lease from s Leisure and signed a new agreement with the building's owners, the UK Commercial Property Trust, managed by Ignis Asset Management. Liquid and Diva nightclub has been shut for a year and Luminar had been trying to offload the site for months.

The new club has two rooms, six bars and a VIP area. Mr Cowen, who originates from Stafford but now lives in Shrewsbury, said: "Our contractors have been working round the clock, seven days a week to ensure we give the people of Shrewsbury a venue to be proud of.

"I think the changes that we have made to the club are substantial and dramatic and we look forward to welcoming our customers over the launch weekend when they can experience the difference for themselves."

Mr Cowen added: "We have been working closely with West Mercia Police, the local authorities and our own security providers to ensure that we deliver to the people of Shropshire a safe and friendly night out."