DEVELOPERS wanting to build an entertainment centre on the site of a former Chippenham nightclub have been give one last chance to make their project work.
North Wiltshire District councillors at a make-or-break meeting on Wednesday night voted to give E&J Commercial Properties a final opportunity to get their scheme for the former Goldiggers Nightclub under way.
Originally E&J bosses were given until May 31 to get full applications into planning officers but only a change of use application materialised.
Bosses said they found it difficult to get retail chains interested in the site unless they had permission for a change of use from assembly and leisure to food and drink which was granted at a development control meeting on Wednesday.
Initial suggestions indicate Luminar Leisure could be interested in locating a Chicago Rock Caf on the Timber Street site.
It was the second time E&J failed to meet council deadlines and only a shake-up of the council committees saved the scheme from going under altogether.
If the deal had collapsed the art deco building would have gone back on the market marking another chapter in a long history.
Goldiggers nightclub closed in September 2000 after a 22-year reign in the town.
Councillors originally wanted developers to restore the historic building back to its art deco glory but the project would have proved unviable.
Bosses at E&J have said full applications for the former nightclub will be submitted by the summer and insisted the scheme was "very much alive".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article