A FORMER nightclub that featured in cult North-East film Get Carter is to be converted into student accommodation.

Kier Property has acquired the former Liquid Envy nightclub, previously the Oxford Galleries ballroom, on New Bridge Street, Newcastle, with the intention of turning it into 329 student bedrooms, as well as retail and leisure space.

The Oxford was built in 1921 and by the 1950s was one of the most popular ballrooms in the country. It has been known as Tiffany’s, the Ritzy, Ikon, The Studio, Central Park, Diva, Liquid Envy, and Club LQ.

It was the setting of a dramatic fight scene in the 1971 film Get Carter where Michael Caine navigates his way through a busy dancefloor.

Tom Gilman, Kier Property managing director for the north, said: “This acquisition forms part of our UK-wide strategy to acquire land and property in order to deliver a full range of direct-let student facilities, which we will then retain as an investment.

"The New Bridge Street student scheme builds on our successful track record in the north, and particularly in Newcastle, where we delivered the new Motel One hotel on High Bridge in December 2015, and where we are North Tyneside Council’s development partner for the Swans scheme in Wallsend.”

The scheme will be constructed by Robertson Construction and is expected to be finished in September 2017.