The disco lights at the famous Batley Frontier Club are set to flash one last time.

After almost 50 years, the iconic nightclub is closing its doors to dancers and romancers.

A deal has been done to transform the large building into a gym, consigning the performances of music legends including Roy Orbison, Shirley Bassey, the Bee Gees and Tom Jones to the history books.

Batley’s vibrant nightlife will not be the same but club bosses have said they intend to open another venue nearby with the biggest laser show in the UK.

A chance for one last boogie is being offered on Saturday, July 30 when a farewell event will feature music from its heydays.

Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison

Rumours the legendary venue was being transformed into a gym have been bubbling all year with the club’s owners reluctant to say more.

But they have now revealed that JD Gyms has signed a deal to take over the Bradford Road premises, which launched as Batley Variety Club in 1966.

The growing firm has six gyms up and running and is in the process of opening another in Leeds.

It has vowed to spend more than £1m on the venue and create 10 jobs.

Nick Westwell, consultant general manager at the Frontier club, said: “It is, without question, a very sad time and we are truly sorry to be losing such an icon.

“We are very conscious that this will be quite emotive for many people and we understand the loss of any significant entertainment space, can be extremely damaging to small towns in particular.

“Since the turn of the century, the commercial entertainment landscape has changed and the demands for larger arenas, opposed to smaller style concert halls, has been prevalent.

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“The expansion of TV content, the internet, mobile communications and social media, the accessibility to performance media, the smoking ban, and the change in licensing laws regarding drinking hours, have all assisted in the demise of this style of multi-functional entertainment venue.

“We wanted to ensure that this didn’t happen here and therefore, following a significant investment, a brand new bar and club, aptly called tbc (to be continued…) or its official title, Terrace-Bar-Club, is set to revolutionise Batley’s nightlife.”

The farewell event will feature legendary local DJ Alan Kent playing all the big hits of artists who have graced its stage during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

The new club, which is being designed in the mould of an upmarket Ibiza venue, is the former Preston and Jenkinson carpet shop in Hick Lane.

The premises, previously operated as a bar by the company which owns the Frontier, is due to open on August 5.