Family-run Staffordshire nightclub shuts after 20 years

There are already plans in place to turn No 7s into a community church.

Club goers will be able to bid a fond farewell to the venue tonight before it closes for good.

The owners of No 7s, Jennifer Heath and Trevor Mansell, decided in the week to retire and wanted to shut the Bridge Cross Road club in style on Mr Mansell's 78th birthday.

Beacon Community Church are already in talks to take over the building and convert it into a place of worship and training centre.

Mr Mansell said he had seen many changes over 40 years at the venue but that the time was right time for the club to close.

"It is a sad time, an end of an era for our family but Jenny and I would like to take this opportunity to thank customers and staff, both past and present for their custom and support over many years," he said.

"We both hope to leave you all with some good memories of No 7s, it was unique.

"I am looking forward to retirement and I am looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren."

Mr Mansell first purchased the building in 1972 with his late wife Deirdre. They converted the building into offices, before expanding and opening 'Sauna Nova', a ladies beauty salon.

They later opened a hair salon at the venue and a boutique.

In the late 1970s, Mr Mansell opened a wine bar at the venue and it was called No 7s. His wife died of leukaemia in 1985 and in 1987 businesswoman Mrs Heath, now 65, joined the family run business.

A 4am licence was granted in the late 1990s for the bar to become a late night venue and Burntwood's own nightclub was launched.

The club has always been a family-run business, with Mr Mansell's daughter Lisa, 47, working in the wine bar and his grandson working every Friday as the house DJ.

The club opened on Friday and Saturday nights. Tonight the club will open from 10pm until late.

Regulars have taken to Facebook to share their feelings about the club closing.

Nikki Hall said: "I met my husband there in 2000. He was one of the bar men. He asked me to marry him over the mic on a Saturday night. I've many good memories of 7s."

Pastor Sandy McMeekin, from Beacon Community Church, hopes the venue will be occupied by the summer.

He said: "We have been looking for a permanent home and we are currently in talks with the owners. We hope to move from Chase Terrace Technology College in around 10 weeks."