THE countdown has begun for the opening of Darlington’s newest nightspot.

After nearly a year of refurbishment and renovation work costing £1.6m, The Keys nightclub and restaurant is set to open on Skinnergate this Friday. (November 28)

The former Mechanic’s Institute building has been transformed into a two-room nightclub upstairs, with a bar and restaurant incorporating day-time opening downstairs.

It will be the third Keys venue in the region, with clubs operating successfully in Yarm and Middlesbrough’s Linthorpe Road since 2002 and 2009 respectively.

Manager Paul Rowntree said the Darlington venue will offer something different for revellers.

He said: “We have put a lot of time and effort into making sure the feel is right.

“Obviously we are trying to work with other local businesses as well to make sure that we all get on; other restaurants and bar owners have said ‘if you need anything we are here’ and that has been really good.”

The community ethos of the business extends to a planned ‘Market Menu’ to be launched in the New Year.

All the produce on the Market Menu will be sourced from Darlington’s own markets and Mr Rowntree said: “If it’s not from Darlington market then it won’t be on the Market Menu.

“Meat, veg, everything will be from Darlington.

“We are not one of those that come along and start cooking French food with French produce; we try and keep everything as local as we can."

Up to 40 local workers have also been employed in the renovation of the building and about 80 staff have now been recruited to work at the venue once it is open.

Director of The Keys, Vicky Powell, whose father Alastair picked the building for development, said she was excited about finally opening to the public.

She said: “We bought it in August 2011, but these things can take time with planning permission and things like that.

“It had been closed for two-and-a half-years and it was in a bit of a worse state of repair than we first thought, so it has all taken a bit of a long time, but we’re really looking forward to getting up and running.”

For the opening night on Friday, the restaurant and bar will admit ticketed VIPs only, with the nightclub open to the general public.