New nightclub planned for Derby city centre

Plans for a new nightclub in Derby have been lodged with the City Council.

They outline a plan to turn the Emperor Inn – a former Chinese restaurant on Abbey Street – into the Club Royale Night Club and Restaurant, in a move which could create 15 jobs.

DPDS, agents for the owners of the proposed nightclub say it will be open from 9pm to 4am seven nights a week. It will also feature a restaurant, which will be open for breakfast from 8am and serve meals at lunch and in the evenings until 5pm.

A statement from DPDS reads: “The site is situated within the defined City Centre where food and drink proposals should be supported as part of the objective within the Local Plan to encourage food, drink and other evening and night time economy uses that contribute to the vitality of the city centre.

“51-59 Abbey Street has been marketed by Innes England for in excess of five months and has yet to secure a new occupant.

“The proposal will diversify the existing/previous food use on site to incorporate use as a drinking establishment and nightclub. Subsequently, the proposal will not result in the loss of retail use and will not have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the centre as a whole through loss of shopping facilities.

“The applicant has researched the need and viability of the type of use proposed within Derby. The use will provide authentic Afro-Caribbean food and cultural experiences in an area where it has been identified that there is an identified demand and lack of existing provision.

“The proposal will give rise to economic and social benefits which will make a positive contribution to the day and night time economy of Derby as well as to the vitality of the centre.”