ONE of Huddersfield’s most famous nightspots is being reincarnated.

The old Johnny’s nightclub will reopen as Mansion on Saturday April 26 following a refit costing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

New manager Barrington Simpson-Brown said the Beast Market venue, behind the Huddersfield Hotel, had undergone a massive redevelopment to restore it to its former glory.

He said: “The aim of the club is to recapture the vibrant atmosphere that Johnny’s used to have in the good old days and add that modern twist to bring it roaring into the 21st century.

“When Johnny’s closed it was like the end of an era, but we want to bring the same feeling back as what you used to get when you stepped inside the club.”

The 850-capacity club will be exclusively for over-21s, with one room for over-25s only.

There will be five rooms, including a VIP room, playing a range of music.

Mr Simpson-Brown said people who still had their membership cards from Johnny’s would have their memberships renewed at Mansion.

Johnny’s, owned by brothers Johnny and Joe Marsden, opened in 1969 as part of a complex which also included The Boy and Barrel pub.

It originally had 10 bars, three dance floors, the diner, pool tables and function rooms.

TV and film stars who stayed at The Huddersfield Hotel were among its regular visitors over the years.

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 Ltd.

The new owners planned to reopen it but, although they started ripping out the insides, it has remained closed since.

Mr Simpson-Brown said: “A lot of couples who met at Johnny’s probably have children now who are at the age where they could come for a night out. We are looking forward to the start of a new era.”

Saturday’s launch event will include stilt walking and fire-breathing performers.

The pre-bar opens at 8pm with the club open 11pm-4am.