THE OWNER of Bromsgrove’s new nightclub – 57 Monkeys – has vowed the venue will bring a new lease of life to the town and its nightlife scene.
Former police officer and owner of a property investment company Mike Taylor told The Standard he was ready for the challenge of transforming the reputation of the club, formerly Love 2 Love.
He said: “It used to be a club suffering from a massive lack of investment and a reputation that’s gone though the floor – but I thrive on challenges.
“If you provide a good product and get the branding right, then everything is possible.”
Mike brings with him a wealth of brand management expertise and said he purposefully chose a name which ‘didn’t sound too clubby’.
Following a £130,00 worth of investment, the downstairs area has been split into club and bar areas while upstairs will be a second club room and hired out for functions.
The 31-year old has lived in Bromsgrove for five years and took on the premises almost five months ago.
Mike said he aimed to ‘keep trouble-makers out’, adding he was already working with the local police to ‘bring a solution to the trouble the place has experienced in the past’.
Other strategies for blowing out the cobwebs of the venue include a ‘strict dress code’ which he said will be more relaxed on Thursdays.
“If people make an effort to go out, they treat the venue and each other with more respect.
“We also have a door team used to working in places like Hurst Street so they’re wise to dealing with different kinds of crowds.
“We want to build new relationships, strengthen old ones, and to make it inclusive for the whole community, including LGBT groups.
Music-wise, there will be commercial R&B and house downstairs on a Friday, with more alternative, grimier genres belting away upstairs until 4am.
Saturday nights will alternate between different styles to attract eclectic crowds.
He added: “We’re building a social media platform for the town and working with members of Pub Watch to air ideas for regenerating Bromsgrove.
“When the nightlife of a town begins to degenerate, there’s also a lack of interest from businesses and so the clientele diminishes.
“Our aim is to get Bromsgrove back as a night time destination town and to bring all venues together to promote the town and each other.”
57 Monkeys will officially launch on Friday (September 30).
Check out ‘57 Monkeys’ on Facebook for more.
