Old Derby nightclub could become new college

The former Derby Grand Theatre venue on Babington Lane could become a new college. Image by Google Maps.

Derby’s old Grand Theatre, which was later used as a venue for nightclubs, could be turned into a new college.

Plans have been submitted to Derby City Council aiming to transform the former McClusky’s nightclub on Babington Lane.

Documents stated the building – next to the well-known Babington Arms pub –  used to be the home of Derby’s Grand Theatre between the late 19th-century and the 1950s.

It was also the home of Locarno Ballroom in 1959, Tiffany’s in the 1970s to 1984, and nightclubs including Confettis, Ritzy, Eclipse, and McClusky’s in the 1980s and 90s.

Most recently, the site has been used by the House of Holes indoor crazy golf. But the company behind the adult crazy golf venue appointed liquidators and closed last year.

The applicant behind the new plans is UK Management College Ltd. The firm runs learner courses in business, marketing, event management, health and other sectors across the country.

UK Management College Ltd already has a campus in Derby city centre at the Cornmarket.

But a new campus on Babington Lane could consist of 10 classrooms, an IT lab, a board meeting room, a learning hub, a café and lounge.

It could hold a capacity of 250 people at any one time should internal changes to the building be made. No dedicated parking spaces are proposed, but bus stops are located nearby.

It is hoped the change will boost Derby’s learning offer, employment rates and subsequently the city’s economy.

A planning statement on behalf of UK Management College states: “The proposed development will provide a higher education facility on brownfield land, making an effective use of the building.

“It will support the economic objective by supporting growth of Derby’s education sector, which will create jobs in the short-term and, in the long-term, improve employment rates through the education and upskilling of the community.

“The re-use of the historic building to ensure it enhances the character of the site and surrounding area and the provision of increase choice in education will have a positive social impact.

“With regard to the environmental objective, reusing the underutilised building and bringing the heritage asset back into a viable use will have significant positive impacts.”

Derby City Council could make a final decision on the plans as soon as December.