Clubland, pictured in 2011.
One of Northern Ireland’s most iconic club venues could be given a new lease of life – as a family entertainment centre.
Clubland – or the Pink Pussycat, as it was known to many – was in a league of its owns, top DJs, top tunes, lights and theatrics galore!
Now the decks may have stopped spinning, the dance floor vacated, but the future of the venue is again looking bright.
For a state-of-the-art entertainment complex will bring a new era and a family-friendly mecca to savour.
Molesworth Street will, if plans are approved, once again see fun-seekers flock from all parts to enjoy a multitude of games and activities.
While the bar will remain to the front as is, not forming part of the actual application, it is the nightclub to the rear which will be put to a new and good use.
Proposals have this week been drawn up and submitted to Mid-Ulster District Council for consideration for the property at 21-23 Molesworth Street.
It is for a “part change of use” of what is described in the application presently as an “existing night club/venue”.
The venue would boast floorspace of over 11,000 sq ft across two storeys – described as for “ancillary uses”.
The new plan, put simply, is for a “family entertainment centre”.
The kitchen, cloakroom and toilet facilities would remain in the same locations.
Where the main dance floor and stage were located, this would be converted to provide a ‘duck pin bowling’ alley – a form of 10-pin bowling, with lighter bowls and shorter pins, making it more accessible to all age groups but more challenging too.
There would also be various arcade games and virtual reality rides to the side of and surrounding the bowling area.
The first floor would also include virtual reality rides and a seating area.
In addition, there would be a number of racing simulators installed to satisfy the urges of those with a need for speed!
A covered section to the rear would, meanwhile, be transformed to provide a mini golf area, sating the ambitions of any Rory McIlroy wannabes!
Plans indicate a small bar on the first floor as well, with additional toilet facilities too.
The proposals would represent a significant investment and would be expected to create very welcome jobs for the area.
It would deliver a completely new attraction for County Tyrone and, indeed, Northern Ireland too.
It’s a step away from the heyday of the Molesworth Street landmark and a new direction altogether. Who remembers ‘blast off’, when that huge spinning light descended from the ceiling, excitement stoking club-goers into that ultimate frenzy?!!
In years past, we lived through a care-free era that defined a generation, the magic and the memories of Northern Ireland’s thriving club scene.
From Kelly’s in Portrush to the Arena in Armagh, the Coach in Banbridge to Clubland, it was a time to which many would love to return.
Clubland, before its closure in 2015, was one of the giants of said scene and huge crowds packed the venue week after week, travelling from all over Northern Ireland and further afield.
Back in the day, buses would have departed from the Moy Road roundabout in Armagh, giving local revellers the chance to enjoy nights to remember (or not, as was often the case, for the over-indulgent!).
For many of a certain age nowadays, they met their future partners in venues such as this and will look back fondly.
Many clubs have long since closed and now it seems that the former Clubland – the perfect venue – will once again ignite with lights and sounds, albeit of a different variety.
And who knows, perhaps some of those familial foundations formed under the bright lights of Clubland could lead to a return to Cookstown, parents now bringing their children back to a venue where, for them, it all began!
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