First sneak-peak of Saltcoats nightclub the Metro renovation works

The team plan to completely overhaul Saltcoats’ Metro on Hamilton Street and open to the public this year.

The pair behind the renovation, who call themselves Metro Reloaded, wanted to reveal a little about their ambitious plans so invited the Herald on a tour of the former Regal Cinema building.

They said: “We still have a few months to go but feel now is the time to reveal some of what we have planned for this iconic building.

“First and foremost, this is a nightclub and will remain this way every Saturday night attracting big named DJs from around the world.

“On a Friday we will be looking to have live band nights and tribute acts, as we are looking to move in to a new era for the Metro, turning it into an event venue.”

One of the old signs still inside the Metro

Rumours that the club may reopen have circulated in the town for years, but when pictures were posted to a Facebook page in October last year, it was the first solid sign that something could be happening.

But the business partners, who are carrying out the renovation work themselves, self-funded and using their own skills, want their venue to be a community hub.

They plan to host under-18 parties to “get the younger generation off of their phones and socialise with their peers”, as well as hire out spaces for fitness classes, private functions and events for people of all ages and abilities.

A lot of work has already gone into getting the ground floor functioning since the Metro Reloaded duo started the project in September.

They said: “The place was a mess. The whole left-hand side was flooded because of leaking from the roof.

“Sarking boards had rotted away, and part of the ceiling had collapsed.

“Now there are no pigeons and the lights are going on in a few weeks.”

Parts of the ceiling had collapsed

But the pair’s ambitions don’t stop there: a second phase will see the third floor open up adding capacity and atmosphere to the club. 

They also intend to open a contemporary gin and cocktail bar where people can enjoy the music but be able to chat and relax.

There is still a lot of work to be done including painting, reupholstering, redesigning the upper floor, revamping the toilets and updating the venue’s aesthetic.

But the pair say they have a passion for music and for the town they call home.

They said: “It’s not just a nightclub.

“It’s for the whole community. We want there to be something for everybody.

“There’s no one more passionate than us.

The Metro Reloaded team told the Herald: “We are aiming to bring a touch of luxury to this club and town and we strongly believe that everyone can benefit form this club opening up again, from taxi drivers, to takeaways, to hotels as well as providing jobs for the local community, this can only be a positive.

“Once this club is open we will actively be helping to fundraise towards events within the community with the aim of putting Saltcoats and North Ayrshire back on the map.”

Metro Reloaded plan to put the original decks under glass