Plans to turn Nikita night club into flats approved

Sunday 22 October 2017

Plans to turn the former Nikita nightclub on Cattle Street into homes, including two 700sq meters studios and a 1,000 sq meter two-bedroom flat, have been approved.

Jonathan Ruff, who runs Tamba Park and the new Cow and Lobster resaurant, is redeveloping the building through his company JAJ Properties.

The serial entrepreneur bought the property a year ago after the Nikita nightclub closed down.

Mr Ruff told Express: "It is a big tall building, I like its style. I had various ideas for it, one of it was to keep it full commercial but my business ideas didn't fit with it."

The two studios will be "big enough to be one or two-bedroom apartments" says Mr Ruff. The entrepreneur explained that light restrictions, there is only one big window on the floor, meant he had to keep both as studios. "We are doing a pretty cool loft style, all open plan, with a big lounge and a big kitchen, brick walls and a commercial feel. They will be huge, not your typical studio." 

While everything is decided for the upper floors, Mr Ruff is still unsure about what to do with the ground floor, but he is open to ideas. He said: "There is about 800 sq meters downstairs. It could be anything, a funky bar or restaurant, a 1960s bar, a corner shop or a new venue for Mark Jordan and I. It is a good location so I want to use the space right. If someone has a good idea for the space, they can get in touch!"

Pictured: The former Freedom Church on Victoria Street.

Mr Ruff is also renovating the former United  Reform Church on Victoria Street, which was most recently used by the Freedom Church, until they moved to the old Odeon building. If plans are approved the 1860s building will house six one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. Mr Ruff said: "I like bringing stuff back to style and doing business. It takes a vision, determination and a bit of craziness!" 

As for the very distinctive facade, it will definitely stay and will even get a makeover.  Mr Ruff said: "We are keeping it 100%! We are going to do some work on the windows and the lead frame. It is a really nice feature, if I were to live in a church I would want it to stay. It makes it unique."