WORK is underway to repair and upgrade a fire-damaged Huddersfield nightclub.
The blaze ripped through The Loft above Chad’s Bar on Brook Street last month and saw dozens of firefighters battle to prevent it spreading below.
Crews successfully contained the fire which started in the bar area of the first-floor club.
Now tradesman are hard at work to restore the late-night premises for a grand red carpet reopening.
Licensee Chris Davies told The Examiner: “The fire was caused by a glass washer on the first floor which had overheated.
“We had to close both premises initially but Chad’s Bar wasn’t damaged so that opened 24 hours later.”
But rather than dwelling on the closure, Chris and the team have chosen to upgrade the facilities at the same time.
Chris, 21, added: “We are hoping to have a relaunch red carpet party and have used the fire as a springboard to upgrade the nightclub.
“We are going to have a chill out area and all new light fittings and generally upgrade everything.
“We have seen it as a silver lining in all this.
“We also want to do a one-off event and hope to host a civil partnership wedding fayre.”
He said they had fully complied with their insurance company but remained tight-lipped over the payout.
Meanwhile Chad’s Bar is still open for punters who have taken the club’s temporary closure in their stride.
Chris added: “We had a cracking night on Saturday. There was a queue to get in so people are still coming.
“We have the same licensing hours for the bar and the club so we haven’t had to change anything.”
It is hoped the club will reopen in the next two months when work is completed.
