Plans to turn former nightclub into college

Plans to turn a former city centre theatre and nightclub into a new college have been submitted.

UK Management College Ltd, which already has a campus in Derby's Cornmarket, want to turn the former Derby Grand Theatre building, on Babington Lane, into a site with 10 classrooms, an IT lab, board meeting room, learning hub, cafe and lounge.

The site, which was once home to McClusky's nightclub and most recently House of Holes indoor crazy golf, could hold a capacity of 250 people, documents said.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said Derby City Council could make a final decision on the plans as soon as December.

As well as being McClusky's, the site was the home of Locarno Ballroom in 1959, Tiffany's in the 1970s to 1984, and nightclubs including Confettis, Ritzy, Eclipse, and McClusky's in the 1980s and 90s.

UK Management College Ltd hopes the change will boost Derby's learning offer, employment rates and subsequently the city's economy.

A planning statement on behalf of UK Management College said the site will support the "growth of Derby's education sector" and will create jobs "improve employment rates through the education and upskilling of the community".

"The re-use of the historic building to ensure it enhances the character of the site and surrounding area and the provision of increase choice in education will have a positive social impact," documents added.

"With regard to the environmental objective, reusing the underutilised building and bringing the heritage asset back into a viable use will have significant positive impacts."

No dedicated parking spaces are proposed, but bus stops are located nearby.

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