New plans for The Chapel Nightclub in Salisbury have been revealed today after the venue was sold to national nightclub operators Epic Bars and Nightclubs last week.
The new owners have confirmed that The Chapel Nightclub and The Vestry Bar next door will receive a £750,000 transformation.
Nick Martindale, Epic Bar’s PR Director says the venue will “remain as The Chapel and be enhanced enormously as what it is, rather than trying to bring something new.”
Love Salisbury understands that The Vestry will be the first stage of the rebranded opening, receiving some of the three-quarters of a million-pound investment to become a standalone Botanic Cocktail Bar which is set to open towards the end of August.
“Stage two will be in September/October time when we enhance The Chapel and relaunch it as even more fantastic than it already has been for so many years.
“We will use all of the features and all of the usable space. We are going to put an amazing VIP area in there which will be up in the organ essentially, plus DJs, dancefloors, bars, and amazing decor.
“With the amount that we can spend and the knowledge that we have, plus what The Chapel has already, this is probably going to be the best twin scene nightclub certainly in the South, if not in the country - it’s going to be extraordinary what we have planned,” said Nick.
Currently, Epic bars are continuing to trade The Chapel as it is, so they can speak to staff and customers and get to know the city.
“We aren’t coming in and doing what we think we should do. We are coming in and doing what the city wants us to do. That’s so important to us and is one of our core values. We want to build on this bond between us and Amanda Newbery and build on what she created since 1997 and listen to what the city wants,” added Nick.
The new opening hours are yet to be decided, but Friday and Saturday nights will be the main opening times. Ticket prices and how to buy tickets will also be announced at a later date.
The Chapel name will remain and while the drinks offering may change, VKs will still be served behind the bar.
“The drinks offering will change but again we are going to be listening, seeing what there is currently and talking to the city - we will appeal to what people want.
“We don’t run a business that doesn’t sell VKs, Epic Bars is synonymous with VKs and WKD is a swearword to us. So the iconic organ and the iconic VKs will certainly be staying!”
Epic Bars has retained approximately 20 staff from The Chapel and will be creating over 25 new jobs for the local economy.
Overall, the new owners promise to listen to the people of Salisbury and cater to everybody looking to enjoy the city’s nightlife.
“We will cater for everybody, as we do across all of our businesses, whether you are 18 or 80 you should be able to come in and have a good time and have a safe and enjoyable night out - that is our company motto and that’s what we are going to bring to Salisbury.”
Amanda Newbery added, "Their plans sound fantastic and these people have been in the business for many years and know exactly what they’re doing.
"We want this to be a massive success for them and for the Salisbury night time economy and we know they have the very best chance from checking out their previous projects that they’ve been involved with.
"For now, Adam, Nick and I have lovely plans for Brown Street – there’s lots more to come from us – we’re not going anywhere.”
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