IGNITE Nightclub in Darlington is due to open its doors this weekend after a major revamp. 

The Skinnergate venue, formerly known as the Keys Club, has received an extensive refit with new owners at the helm. 

This Friday, July 23, will showcase the club's grand opening after over a year of closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Club nights will take place weekly on Friday's and Saturday's and the venue will be open for other parties and functions throughout the week. 

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

Adam Lancaster, 23, is in charge of LOCO club nights every Friday and can't hide his excitement about opening. 

"It’s the nicest venue in Darlo by a mile and it’s got massive potential to be great," he said. 

Currently living in Yarm, it has long been an ambition of Adam's to showcase his club nights to a large audience, and he believes Ignite will go from strength to strength. 

He added: "There’s no other place like this in Darlo with a sound system like this and that looks like this."

A post on the nightclub's Facebook page says: "Loco will be bringing the party back to Darlington with a bang will all the freshest R&B hip hop, house, dance and party tunes. Expect lights, dancers, UV décor, light up props and much more."

DJs Chris Taylor and Adam Lancaster will be on the decks to provide the tunes. 

Paul Strickland, 36, from Darlington, is in charge of running Saturday club nights and is hosting FREEDOM this weekend. 

DJs Wake - Thomas Gibson and Charlie Muir are on the bill for the big night. 

Adam and Paul quickly struck up a close bond and are excited for the future ahead. 

He said: "I hosted events at Tall Trees in Yarm and at the Millennium in Teesside Park so I know how it all works. We just bounce off each other and work really well together."

The nightclub and large dancefloor are at the heart of the venue with state-of-the-art DJ equipment and specialist VIP areas with new booths fitted around the edges of the dance floor. 

The Northern Echo: Adam Lancaster and general manager Aleksander JollaAdam Lancaster and general manager Aleksander Jolla

The Northern Echo:

But the Aster Cocktail Lounge - a brand new addition to the venue - has been created next door and adds an extra dimension to the nightclub. 

The cocktail lounge will include drinks specially selected by general manager Aleksander Jolla and also includes a second DJ booth with 'chill out' tunes pumping through the speakers. 

It has taken the team around eight months to complete the renovation. 

"Hospitality took a big knock over the past year because of Covid," Paul added, "but we’re giving back to the local economy by giving jobs to local people. 

"We all have full-time jobs as well and we’ve put a lot of time into it after our jobs so we’re confident it’ll work."

More information: https://www.facebook.com/InstituteDarlington/

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