A DECADE has passed since Richard Tulip swapped decks for pecks, but the talented DJ turned chicken farmer has made a bold promise to clubbers in 2016.

The County Durham-based dance music fanatic is aiming to revive the glory days of cult club Foundation by bringing back the beloved Tyneside institution, Promise! at Newcastle’s Digital this month.

The 39-year-old veteran of Creamfields, Gatecrasher and Godskitchen is confident a permanent return could be on the cards.

“I’m going back to what I love,” said Mr Tulip, from Burnopfield and who opened for Sasha, Paul Van Dyk and Tiesto during his time as resident at Foundation’s famous Promise! nights.

“I’ve always said that the most important things in my life are family, friends, our farm and music.

“The music had to take a bit of a back seat in recent years as I needed to concentrate on the family business. But I’m in a position now where I can do it again.

“Promise! was special, I can honestly say it changed my life and it’s been away for far too long – it was an iconic night with an amazing vibe. It’s time to bring it back.”

Mr Tulip released a top 20 album, Infinity, via BMG alongside fellow DJ Lisa Pin-Up in 2004, but he chose to take a break from music and commit full-time to the family business two years later - eventually establishing County Durham's Lintz Hall Farm as the North-East's biggest egg producer.

And Mr Tulip, sales and marketing director at Lintz Hall Farm Ltd, is eager to scramble things up.

He said: “The business has grown substantially in the last few years and we now employ over 50 people.

“It means I’ve got a bit of headroom to do other things and all I’ve ever wanted to do is DJ.

“It’s always been a huge part of my life. This is just the start of what will be a series of Promise! nights in the future.

“We’re already got something very special lined up for April 8 with a jaw-dropping line-up of artists who dominated the UK club scene for decades.

“Friday is all about reviving the glory days. It’s free entry but we never started out to make money from Promise! and we’re kicking off at 9pm and going though until 4am.

“But people who remember the vibe at Foundation should get there from the start. They won’t be disappointed, I promise!”

For more information on the Promise! free launch party on Friday (January 15), visit promisealways.co.uk or join promisenewcastle on Facebook.