A YORK nightclub is to get a new name and a £1 million revamp.

Toffs Nightclub, in Toft Green, will be re-named as part of a major refurbishment which is designed to raise the standard and quality of late-night entertainment in York.

The venue will be transformed into a five-star clubbing experience and re-named TRU.

The plans will see about ten new jobs created. This will bring the total people employed at TRU to about 30. The club will extend its opening hours from five to six nights a week.

The multi-room venue is due to be revealed to the public in May following major work throughout.

Chris Bateman, the newly-appointed general manager, began his career in the late-night entertainment industry at Toffs six years ago as a glass collector while studying for a management and IT degree at the University of York.

Since graduating, Chris has worked in several late-night entertainment venues operated by Luminar Leisure around the country, and has now returned to York.

Mr Bateman said: "I am passionate about reviving the reputation and high standards of service that Toffs Nightclub was previously famous for, and with the £1 million investment coupled with the excellent training and development standards of Luminar Leisure, the people of York can expect five-star clubbing featuring intimate booth seating and entertainment of the highest quality."

The venue, which has five bars and four rooms, will also receive a sound and lighting upgrade with £250,000 being invested.

Opening six nights a week, the club will offer a number of different events and music genres, including chart, party, R'n'B, funky house, indie, 1970s and 1980s disco, and Northern Soul.

Mr Bateman said the venue will also be launching a weekly over-25s night for the more mature clubber.

The Press reported earlier this month how Nexus, in nearby George Hudson Street, announced it will undergo a £1 million transformation. It will reopen under a new name, Club Salvation, as part of a big-money revamp which its bosses say will allow it to house 800 people.

The changes will also include the creation of two club rooms playing different music styles, a string of designated VIP areas, redesigned bars and a new main entrance, with the club opening from Thursday to Sunday rather than its present seven nights a week.

The announcement of the Club Salvation facelift comes as the venue's owner, McMillan York, which also operates the nearby bpm nightspot, gained permission from City of York Council to serve alcohol for an extra hour until 4am, extend its existing dancefloor and open a new one upstairs.


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