Last updated 19:34, Friday, 28 November 2008

WORKINGTON’S latest nightspot opened its doors yesterday following a £60,000 revamp.

The Viva nightclub, on Ladies Walk, was formerly Fusion until it closed its doors in June with the loss of 30 jobs.

The refurbishment was completed this week before club-goers were entertained by Resident DJ Marko at last night’s opening event.

Owner and manager Jon Covell, 41, said: “The club needed to be reborn. Being tied in with a large company, we were unable to follow the route that the majority of the public wanted us to go down.

“Since the club closed, I’ve been in talks to strike a deal to reopen it and take it forward as a bright new venue.“When people come in that know the venue, they will be impressed.”

The new-look club will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and Mr Covell is hoping that it will become more attractive to families.

He said: “We’re no longer a dance venue. We are hoping to leave that behind and work for the whole family. We want anybody over the age of 18 who’s looking for a good quality night out to come here.”

He initially hoped to get the club open by August, but was forced to delay after running into problems with the landlord.However, Mr Covell said he had no worries about spending money on the venue in the midst of tricky financial times.

He said: “The main thing for me was that while the industry seems to be in turmoil, I still believe, in this area, there is a need for good quality entertainment.

“And of course there’s the creation of jobs. With contractors there will be 40 jobs in total. Some are ex-staff and some are new, because many of the former staff have moved on to new things as we’ve been shut for a while.”

Mr Covell has managed nightclubs around the country, but this is the first time that he has overseen a refurbishment as owner.

He said: “I have worked my way up the country and stumbled across Workington, which has become my home.

“I enjoy it very much. Workington is one of the country’s best kept secrets.”

“I have liked everything here, including the people and the countryside, and I have enjoyed running the club.”

One part of the building that has yet to reopen is what will become an acoustic room and chill-out area. It is hoped that work will be completed on this in time for it to open before Christmas.

The original Fusion club closed in June after the company that ran it went into administration.

CanDu Entertainment’s assets were taken over by Company Time Ltd, which then decided not to take the club on for financial reasons.