ONE of the region's nightclubs, renowned since the 1960s, is to undergo a £1m transformation.
The changes to the Top Hat, in Spennymoor, County Durham, will create about 40 jobs, see it attract top acts, and become one of the region's top entertainment venues.
In the 1970s, the club regularly drew large crowds, to hear headline bands such as Thin Lizzy and Hot Chocolate.
The revamped Top Hat will feature some of today's top DJs, such as Pete Tong, Danny Rampling and DJ Spoony.
The list of resident DJs will be made up of well-known names from the club scene, such as Kareem, Tim Lennox, Tino and Mike Johnson.
The club, which has a licence for 650 people, is being completely refurbished, to provide an innovative place for clubbers to enjoy a night out, in a safe environment.
The front of the building will be transformed into an upmarket, glass-fronted continental caf bar, which will be open all day for light snacks.
At the rear, there will be a traditional bar, where it is hoped to provide music on a regular basis.
The work is expected to be completed around Easter.
Colin Fletcher, the club's promoter and manager, said: "The whole concept of the Top Hat is changing to provide an all-round, all-day entertainment facility for the North-East which is totally different to anything currently available.
"We are very aware of the place of the Top Hat in the history of the region's nightlife.
"If anybody has any memorabilia from the club's heyday, we would very much like to incorporate it in the new look."
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