The changing face of Dundee’s nightlife has taken another twist with the sale of one of the city’s oldest nightclubs.
After 15 years under the ownership of businessman Jimmy Marr, Deja Vu onCowgate has been bought by formerLondon nightclub owner Tahir Ramzan, who owns Boudoir cocktail bar onWestport.
It will now be known as Beau Nightclub and Mr Ramzan says he has big plans for the venue, including a large-scale makeover later in the year.
The sale comes just a few months after Mr Marr predicted Dundee could be left without any major nightclubs as a result of decisions made by the city council’slicensing board, one of which was to refuse an application for a 6am licence forDeja Vu.
However, Mr Marr predicted a bright future for the venue under the control of Mr Ramzan who, he said, was the right person to take the club forward.
He said: “I’m pretty sad about it, but I think it’s the right time for me to move on. I wish Tahir all the best, he’s got some good ideas and with his enthusiasm andknowledge of the club scene I’m sure he’ll make a great success of it.”
Mr Ramzan told The Courier he wants to inject some new life into the Seagate area after years of decline for the east end of the city centre and wants to tap into a “newgeneration of older clubbers” desperate for the right club to go to.
He said: “After watching the Dundee and Tayside nightlife slowly disappear over the last few years, it started to get to me.
“I see a new generation of peopledesperate to go out and party but there has not been much happening at all in Dundee over the last few years.
“I feel that currently the west end is too saturated yet nothing great is happening. We used to have a good thing with bars in the Seagate and Perth Road being busy and a good walkabout culture, whichencouraged socialising.
“I do feel this can come around again with feedback from the research we have done.
“However, what isworrying is that people are spending less than an hour in clubs, so either people are not getting what they want from venues or people do not like clubs.
“I definitely do not agree with the latter.Jimmy did an amazing job with Deja Vu but he also knows it’s had its time and like all nightclubs they start to fade.
“However, Deja Vu definitely stood its ground and lasted double the number of years most clubs do, so that was anachievement in itself.
“I have great plans for Beau Nightclub and hope it, along with other businesses in the area, help regenerate the Seagate.
“We desperately need more nightlife.It helps everyone from bars, taxis, nightclubs,takeaways and hotels with people coming from afar.
“This is not just a young person’s thing any more.The 30-plus age group are desperate for a good venue to stay out in.
“The casino has its place but it’sdefinitely not a nightclub.”
However, Mr Ramzan warned the club could still close down unless he gets the support of the people who say they aredesperate for a venue which meets their needs.
“We also have a very exciting refit planned over the year as we get support from customers,” he added.
“If we do not get the support then I will sadly close the venue and let everyone moan how there is little choice and little quality nightclubs to choose from.
“The main point with this venture is to get people to become more positive about Dundee and stop them from having to leave Dundee for nights out. I hope they take to it.”