Controversial Wolverhampton nightclub to reopen

The former Uberra and Canal Club on Broad Street will now be called The Boatyard and bosses say around 25 jobs will be created.

The site was the scene of one of the city's worst late-night attacks in recent years when 23-year-old Tom Kirwan was stabbed outside in the early hours of July 8, 2012. The 23-year-old factory worker later died from his wounds and last month five people were jailed for their part in the brawl in the lead-up to the killing.

The Grade II-listed building closed its doors in March this year and the owners Dale Investment had hoped that it may be taken on as a restaurant. But a deal has been struck with unknown tenants that would see the club brought back into use as a venue playing house music.

Chan Dale Junior, co-owner of Dale Investment, said: "We want to see Wolverhampton thriving and back to how it used to be. This deal will hopefully breathe new life into the city centre and add to the night-time economy. It's a beautiful building and should be in use and at the heart of the community.

"We shake hands on a deal in September and it will open around then. I believe around 25 jobs will be created as a result. We have done all we can to ensure we have the right people in."

Bosses have previously revealed that potential bidders had asked for the possibility of applying for a restaurant licence from Wolverhampton City Council. The building, which has a capacity of 1,000 people, had been put on the market by Birmingham-based Christie & Co.

It had been offering a 116-year lease on the two-storey property for £500,000.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent on the building during recent years.

A Facebook page for the club says: 'The Boatyard will bring you a level of clubbing excellence not experienced since you realised what the weekend is for. An opportunity to go the whole way when work is done; finding what makes you look and feel you're the one." So far, it has seven 'likes'. Events listed include a 'Bunga, Bunga' party on September 6 from 11pm to 5am.

There will also be a 'Rewind Friday' on September 26, according to the Facebook page that asks: 'Can it get any better than this?'