Silence over Black Orchid's future as derelict nightclub's owner refuses to speak

The owner of a legendary Nottingham nightclub has refused to comment on its future after exciting redevelopment plans fizzled out into years of silence. The large club on Redfield Way, Lenton Industrial Estate, which was first known as Black Orchid and later ISIS, closed its doors in 2009 after a number of violent incidents but in the 80s and 90s was a staple of Nottingham's nightlife.

Since its closure there have been a few attempts to re-purpose the warehouse-like club or knock it down so something new can take its place. A plan to demolish the nightclub and build five restaurants or cafes in its place was submitted in 2015, but was withdrawn in late 2016.

Two years later The Mellors Group, which organises events like Nottingham Beach and Winter Wonderland, wanted to turn the building into a family entertainment complex with restaurants, a sports bar, and areas for e-sports gaming, parkour and free-running. This plan failed as the site was not big enough for the project and the 'Urban Playground' venue opened in Manchester instead.

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It is understood that car dealership chain Sandicliffe currently owns the building, with plateless cars currently parked outside. The firm's mortgage for the property is listed on its Companies House filings and it is listed as the owner in a planning document from 2018, when The Mellors Group tried to redevelop the site.

However, when contacted about if any more redevelopment plans were in the pipeline Sandicliffe declined to confirm it owned the site and also refused to comment further. The company's use of the nostalgic site as a storage space will likely disappoint former clubgoers, some of which have called for new life to be breathed into the increasingly unsightly and derelict building.

Conservationist Hilary Silvester, executive vice-president of the Nottingham Civic Society, has also previously endorsed the idea of the derelict building making way for a new entertainment venue. The structure, although far from its best now, hosted shows from Take That in the early 1990s and the popular TV show Hitman and Her was filmed there.

A host of famous names, including Tom Jones, performed there when Top of the Pops hit the club. Revellers would have to travel, mostly by the Orchid Express bus, to reach the out-of-town club.

But for those who ventured to the Black Orchid, it was one of the best clubs in the Midlands, with a lucky few able to get a coveted VIP card. The venue holds fond memories for many city residents, ranging from singing with Rick Astley to tucking into the Cantonese buffet and attending bhangra gigs.