A STUDENT has reopened a nightclub in his hometown.

James McDonald, 20, from Consett, County Durham, is the new boss at The Trades in the town centre.

It was formerly known as K2 and The Venue, but closed down a few years ago.

Now the aeronautical engineering student has taken over and is hoping to give it a new lease of life.

Mr McDonald, a former pupil, of St Bede’s in Lanchester, said: “My friends did not believe me when I told them about it.

“But when I started to look into it I thought I could maybe make a go of it.”

Mr McDonald, whose grandmother, Janet McDonald, owns The Freemasons Arms in the town, plans to open the venue on Friday and Saturday nights.

He said: “It is only part time so I will have plenty time to do my course and I still have two years to go.

“The aim is to have feel good music and make the nightlife in Consett what it used to be. I want to stay away from the club land trance music and create a better atmosphere.”

The downstairs bar is already open and Mr McDonald hopes to launch the upstairs nightclub on Saturday, June 27.