GAZETTE & HERALD: THE two new owners of nightclub Nero, previously Mad Jack's, have pledged to banish its alleged reputation of violence and turn it into a safe but thrilling night out.

Billy Hines, 26 and Claudio Viverios, 28, bought the club in April after former owners David Broom and John Jefferies decided to concentrate on the expansion of their lap-dancing club Foxies, in Swindon.

In the last few weeks Mr Hines and Mr Viverios have completely redecorated and rebranded the club on The Bridge, Chippenham, and installed a new sound system and a laser light show.

Now they want to send out a message to potential troublemakers that they are not welcome.

"We know that Mad Jack's had a bad reputation, particularly for fights, but we are determined to turn this club around and make it into a fantastic night out for people from throughout the area," said Mr Hines.

"We will be carrying on with the policy of using plastic glasses for the moment, but we have already made important moves towards improving the clientele of the club."

Mr Hines referred to incidents such as the glassing of Barry Kelly at Mad Jack's on August 15, 2003.

Mr Kelly, 23, had been attempting to break up a fight when James Billingham, 21, of Charter Road, Chippenham, thrust a broken beer glass into his face.

Doctors feared Mr Kelly would lose an eye, but it was saved in a four-and-a-half hour operation although his sight is now limited and doctors have warned him he may develop cataracts as a result of the damage.

Billingham was jailed last month for three-and-a-half years.

Mr Hines said he and his partner had employed a new door management company to weed out potential troublemakers before they made it over the threshold of the club.

"Offering a safe environment where our customers can come and have a great time is our priority," he said.

"Frankly, if it comes to it, we would rather run at a loss than resort to letting troublemakers in, the door policy is very strict."

Mr Hines, who is a former stockbroker from London, and Mr Viverios, who started out as a doorman in Brighton, also own Agua nightclub in Eastbourne.

Mr Hines said they are both passionate about clubbing.

"I met Claudio when I put money into Agua and we've been looking for another club for quite a while," he said.

The club will open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm to 2am. The owners have also secured a licence to trade on Sunday evenings, starting this weekend.

"We want to give Sunday a real party atmosphere," said Mr Hines."We will be offering mainstream and dance music on all our nights, but our ultimate aim is to introduce big-name DJs into Chippenham.

"Claudio and I both have contacts in the DJ world and we intend to employ famous DJs to perform here. I think a lot of people go to Bath, Swindon or Bristol to go clubbing, but we want to offer a clubbing experience that's so good that people won't have to worry about catching trains and cabs."