FIND OUT WHAT'S ON NEAR YOU WITH OUR NEWSLETTER SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It has been a turbulent few years for Bristol’s famed nightlife scene with much-loved venues closing and others announcing their struggles.

Thekla sent shockwaves around not just Bristol but the whole country when it revealed its days could be numbered due to a new development being built opposite it, and that was followed by the closures of Surrey Vaults and Bierkeller.

And today it has been revealed another of the city’s most famous nightclubs is set to close, as the owners of Lakota have said it is time for them to “explore new opportunities”.

In the early 90s the legendary venue on the corner of Upper York Street and Moon Street was seen as one of the most famous clubs in the country, welcoming many of the world’s most exciting DJs.

Now, three decades on, it is still regarded very highly among DJs and clubbers far and wide who love it for its grimy nature, pounding sound system and consistently impressive line-ups.

But the Burgess family, who own the venue, have released a statement expressing their intentions to call it a day, confirming the worst fears of many by hinting it could become accommodation and business space.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The Burgess' statement in full: “We’ve been part of the city’s club scene, and the St Paul’s and Stokes Croft community, since the early 80’s and with so many years of running clubs and pubs in the area amassed we’ve decided that it’s the right time for us to explore new opportunities for our site on the corner of Upper York St and Moon St. “The former Stokes Croft Brewery, Lakota nightclub and the former Coroner’s Court all make up the site that we own and it has great potential to support the local community above and beyond a nightclub. “Working with community networks, residents and local business, we’re reviewing how best we can continue to support the neighbourhood that we’ve been part of for over 30 years and this includes looking at proposals to convert it into a mixed-use site, which will include residential accommodation as well as some business space. “Our plans will take time to develop. So, it’s very much business as usual for the next few years as Lakota will continue working with promoters to offer a range of club nights and events in the way it has always done.”

Alarm bells started ringing back in February when a request was made to Bristol City Council for a screening opinion as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was required for refurbishment and conversion to create 59 residential units and business space. But with its future use not yet set in stone, there is still hope that it might remain a nightclub.

And while it will come as a relief to club-goers that there are no imminent plans to redevelop the venue, with it likely to remain as it is for a few years, it's still a huge blow to the city.

It comes at a time when Stokes Croft as a whole is undergoing significant changes, with Westmoreland House set to be demolished by December 7 and the future of well-used arts space Hamilton House still very much uncertain.