Finishing touches are being made to Newcastle's new 'superclub' The Lofts as it prepares to welcome first customers and DJ legend Pete Tong for its launch night party.
The new venue - spread over three rooms in what used to be Tiger Tiger in Newgate Street - will open to clubbers on Friday when Tong and Horse Meat Disco will kick off the Bank Holiday weekend as it means to go on.
Chroniclelive was invited to have a first look inside the club ahead of its opening, with Rob Seaman - who runs it together with Marty Smith and John Dance - showing the transformation which has taken place.
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And he was totally unfazed by the last-minute jobs - such as installing sofa seating - which still needed completing.
Rob, who knows the club world inside out having spent 20 years in Ibiza and running the likes of the world-famous Café Mambo, has no doubts about how it will all come together for the big night.
Those new sofas just click into place, the bars are stocked and it's ready to go, he said.
"Compared with some of the venues I've done in the past, we're actually ahead of time," he added.
Those who remember Tiger Tiger, near The Gate, and then Eden which took its place will find that big clubnight feel is back, with the huge main space vibrant with pulsating lights, glitterballs and wall paintings specially commissioned by local street artists.
The club has a state-of-the art sound system and an immersive light and visual show which adds to its 'superclub' label which refers to the fact it's the biggest club - with a 1,500 capacity - to launch in the region in a decade.
Leading off from the main space is another room, with chandeliers, leafy wallpaper and more chilled-out atmosphere while there's also a backstage area, The Electric, for the artists - which include DJs and dancers - and some VIP guests.
Tickets can be booked online but some are being kept back for the door for the opening weekend and the club's upcoming line-up has been announced too.
Rob also has more big names in store, with acts to be announced in coming weeks.
He says of the decision to open the new venture in the city: " Newcastle is probably the most famous night out in the UK.
"I think everyone knows it's a great night out - there's lots of different options - and it just felt like we could add something to it.
"It's adding to the great stuff already here."
The club aims to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible and following its Friday night opening it will serve up a mix of music over the opening weekend.
Next to come for the team will be The Hustle right next door, a new venue which is currently taking shape and will be serving drinks and food from September 25.
For more about The Lofts see here.
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