Last updated at 13:59, Monday, 17 November 2008

Club M

ON Saturday night Club M, formerly Martinis, opened its doors to Barrow.
Hundreds of revellers turned out to check out the newly revamped night club on Cornwallis Street.
Club M owner, entertainments company One Leisure, rescued the club from its dilapidated state.
Directors threw a VIP bash before the venue opened to the public at 11pm, dishing out the majority of tickets to BAE Systems employees.
The company, which also own Scorpio, Kavanna’s, O’Sullivans and Highlander, has invested £1.2m in buying and refurbishing the club, evidence of which could be found in the top-notch facilities and the impressive New York disco-style interior.
An eclectic mix of R n B, chart and pop music flowed throughout the night, gradually filling the dance floor below the DJ box, creating a relaxed ambience.
Launch night saw a clientele covering a broad spectrum of ages, from those who haunted Martinis in its heyday to those who were too young to have ever crossed its threshold.
Ladies topping up their lipstick commented on the luxury of the lavatories in contrast to bog-standard facilities elsewhere in town centre night spots.
Security in Club M is tight.
Any clubbers who wanted to nip out for a cigarette had to have their thumb scanned, after which they had just eight minutes to finish and return inside, or face having to pay again to get in.
The merciless dress code meant a number of men were turned away for wearing polo shirts and T-shirts.
Barrow’s partying population has a variety of needs and Club M looks set to fulfil a vast majority of them, judging by the largely positive reaction from revellers on Saturday evening.
One Leisure director Stuart Bowes seeks to prove that Cornwallis Street can be transformed into a credible epicentre for Barrow’s nightlife and plans to spend up to £2m on making that happen.
Club M was the first step in this major overhaul and is a promising sign of things to come.
Even if the music is not to your taste, it is undeniable that the décor and facilities in the club set a new benchmark for night spots in the town centre.
And with One Leisure directors already planning their next move, the refurbishment of O’Sullivan’s, the future of Barrow’s nightlife looks bright.

First published at 13:19, Monday, 17 November 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk