AN East Lancashire nightspot could be transformed into a Mecca for clubbers from all over the North and beyond after being bought out in a £1.2 million deal.

The Equinox club, Nelson, will be given a new look and a new name - The Auditorium - in the spring following the buy-out by Cardiff-based entertainment group Phoenix 2000. The new owners hope to bring in top dance DJs from across the country to make the Market Street club a leading venue for clubbers and dance music.

Tony Ahmed, boss of Equinox, is staying on at the club for a short time to help the new owners and make the change over run smoothly.

"The aim is to make The Auditorium different from the other commercial clubs in Burnley," he said.

"It needs to offer something different and if we can get some of the top dance DJs in then people will travel from all over the come here.

"The idea is to get the club known as a venue for great dance music and its reputation will bring in the crowds."

Mr Ahmed will continue in the business once his connection with the club is finished.

He is involved with The Mill bar, Burnley, and is looking at another venue in the town. Equinox was formed from the former Grand Cinema building three years ago. The outside of the building was refurbished last year thanks to an investment by the club and grant cash from Pendle Council and Pendle Partnership, the regeneration consortium of private, public and voluntary groups.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.