MYSTERY surrounds the closure of a landmark nightspot in Huddersfield.

Former Johnny’s nightclub Mansion shut its doors this week along with the Beastmarket’s Palace Bar and Club Society.

The closure came amid rumours that Gem Gold – which runs the sprawling site – had gone bust.

The Huddersfield Hotel, 41 Kirkgate restaurant and the Boy and Barrel pub have remained open.

Earlier this week, staff who were still owed wages from February were told they were being made redundant.

A bar man – who gave his name as Brian – was shocked when he turned up to collect his £40 wages and was told to go home.

He said: “I’ve only just found out and I’m angry about it. I turned up to get my wages and the manageress said we’d all been made redundant, there was no money and they’d gone bust.

“They’ve done me out of my money. I’m owed two night’s wages. It’s not a lot, but in these times you need all the money you can get.”

He said the nightclub closed on Monday and believed the company had been having financial problems as customer numbers dwindled.

He added: “My first pay cheque after New Year bounced – everyone’s did – so they had to pay us in cash. That was when we all knew they weren’t doing very well. The club has been really quiet.”

A spokesman at the Huddersfield Hotel today confirmed the site was owned by a company called Gem Gold, but owner Lewis Halshal was unavailable for comment when the Examiner tried to contact him.

The spokesman said: “Mansion, Society and the Palace Bar have closed and the company who was running them has ceased trading.

“There are no plans to re-open them at this time.

“The hotel, restaurant and the Boy and Barrel are still open.”

The famous Huddersfield nightspot was reincarnated as Mansion in April 2008 after a huge refit costing thousands of pounds.

The club – formerly known as Johnny’s – had been owned by brothers Johnny and Joe Marsden since 1969.

In 2003 the Marsdens sold the freehold for the complex to buyers, who leased the premises to Swallow Hotels.

Swallow Hotels went into administration and its hotels were individually sold off.

Johnny’s closed in early 2006 and was taken over by Landswood Hotels.