It’s been five years since the shock closure of a beloved Darlington nightclub - and despite being frozen in time for half a decade, there appears to still be no plans for its future.
Inside Out, on Beaumont Street, was shuttered in January 2020 when bosses decided to call time on decades of history after a “careful review”.
The club, formerly known as Perry’s and Club 2K, has remained untouched since then - with its green Inside Out logo now damaged and surrounded by overgrown foliage.
Opening in 2007, Inside Out remained a feature in town for about 12 years, known for its KONG Fridays and Slow Kids event nights.
When it closed for the final time in January 2020, owners The Ladhar Leisure Group said it would only be short term “to ensure its long term viability”.
But now, more than five years on, questions still remain over the building’s future.
The Northern Echo understands the building is still owned by the Ladhar Group, which operates across the care, property and leisure sectors and has looked after the club since the mid 2000s.
In the years since its closure, no planning applications have been lodged with the council proposing any future use.
Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy at Darlington Council, said it was a shame to see any building in the town centre empty - but is “optimistic” for its future.
He told The Northern Echo: “Clearly the nightclub market has changed significantly - not just in Darlington but nationally.”
Mr McEwan added that the council continues to engage with businesses through a number of routes, hoping the town’s continuing redevelopment could play a “significant part” in the site being brought back into use.
He added: “I hope there’ll be increased demand in the building going forward - and I am really optimistic.
“In regards to any building, it is a shame to see one empty, particularly given the growth we have seen in recent years.”
‘I would love to see it back’
Craig Chisman, who spent seven years DJing at Club 2K and Perry's, said he would love to see the club returned to its former glory in town.
The 52-year-old said: “I always go past and say, to think if I had a few quid… I always keep an eye on it and how it is still all locked up."
The former Carmel College student continues to work with DJs from Club 2K, and is preparing to launch the Over 30s Daytime Disco event at the Dolphin Centre in May - which has been so popular that a second date has been added.
He added: “I know the old manager very well. It was fantastic and I would love to see it back. But given the state the town is in the moment, things have changed.
“That’s why I'm doing this afternoon clubbing event. But people do look back with fondness.”
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Craig still thinks there is a market for Inside Out to return.
He said: “It is at the right end of town.
"We always used to say there used to be a seven year cycle where one end of town had the people and then the other did.”
Ladhar Leisure has not yet responded to The Northern Echo’s contact for comment on the building.
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