A CLUB with a reputation has re-opened with a new name, a new look and new management.

The former Flying Circus in Cross Church Street, Huddersfield, is now the Five bar.

New manager Gemma Priestley, 28, said the Flying Circus and its reputation was now a thing of the past.

“Five is completely different,” she said. “We have been welcomed back onto the town centre scene and people can’t believe the change.”

The old club shut down some time ago and the premises have undergone an extensive revamp.

A sand-blasting for the outside has lifted the look of the whole street.

Five, so named because that’s the number of the building, opened its doors for the first time on Friday ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend and its new-look clientele were much in evidence.

“We had the 18-25s in but we also had two ladies in their 50s who came in, sat down and ordered coffees,” said Gemma.

“We’ve also got university students but we have older people too. We are aiming for a real mix of people.”

Such is the change the bar now has two real ale pumps and plans to serve food during the daytime.

Even the door staff have a new look – and one of them is a woman.

Gemma added: “The building was in a bad state and we went over budget but we wanted to get it right.

“People are astonished at the change.”

Gemma, who runs her own entertainments company Forbidden Entertainments UK, plans to organise a variety of events at the bar.

The first will be a psychic night on May 16 followed by a gig from Huddersfield folk group The Rag-Tags , who supported Mumford & Sons on tour.

The gig, on May 19, will be the group’s last locally before they move to London.

A family fun day for charity is also in the pipeline.

Gemma said: “People have been a bit cautious with us because of the past but once they step inside they can see we’re different.

“We have spent a lot of money and we are here for the long term.”