A look inside the iconic Metro as opening plans take shape

Dubbed by some as the "best nightclub in Scotland", the venue attracted ravers from all over the country at the height of its popularity in the 90s.

However, for 12 years now the venue has been closed, shutting up shop in 2011 after 22 years in operation.

But for nearly four year two local men have made it their mission to give Saltcoats its iconic nightclub back.

After becoming owners of the club shortly before the first Covid lockdown, Gary Burns and Stevie Miller have all but taken up a second job with the venue's refurbishment.

Despite already having full-time jobs, the pair have put in countless hours - with some help along the way from friends - to try and restore the Metro to its former glory.

It's fair to say that they have had their doubters along the way, in fact there have been more than a few people that have told them that the club would "never" re-open.

And no it has been a long and arduous process but it was always going to be easy.

It is hard to fully comprehend just what state the building was in when the pair first walked in the door - and it even took them aback.

"Another six months and it would have been gone forever," Gary told the Herald, as he recalled walking into the building lit only by sunlight, with a roof caving in and the floor carpeted by a layer of bird poo.

Any member of the public would be forgiven for walking past the entrance on Hamilton Street and thinking "no chance" will the club be re-opening.

However, in a recent visit to the club the Herald was told "don't judge a book by it's cover" and that has hits the nail on the head.

During the visit both Gary and Stevie laid out their plans for re-opening.

There have been whispers in the past but now they are certain: "this club has to open this year".

And having taken a look around, it is all coming together. 

All the pieces of the jigsaw finally seem to be falling into place to the point where it is truly believable that punters could potentially be bringing in 2024 at the Metro.

Two of the three bars across the three-storey club are all but ready to go, the brewery are due to be visited in this week, then they are all but good to go.

The third bar, we are told, will be shut off to begin with, but once the clubbers start returning, so will that bar.

The dancefloor looks far from the health and safety nightmare it once was and more like it is ready for the masses to descend on Saltcoats once again.

Above this lies a DJ booth crying out for artists to come and wow the crowds once again.

And the seating, well it really made us want to take a seat, I suppose.

Then there is the rest of the make-up of any venue. The toilets are all but in operation, and the cloakroom is railed up and ready to go and the entrance looks ready to welcome people once again.

Some of the iconic artwork has been saved to decorate the walls. And it won't be disappointing for anyone to hear that these are no longer brown and terracotta.

Even the club's old speakers have been saved, to be repurposed as tables before new speakers are put in place above the dancefloor once again.

Of course, there are a few finishing touches yet to be applied, but you can really see for yourself - the Metro has been brought back to life.

Provisional licences have been secured, and once council chiefs visit again then that will be another stage completed on this long and windy road.

Both Gary and Stevie know the entrance needs work, but at the end of the day, no one will be spending their nights standing at the front door - unless you get turned away of course.

The pair also have plenty of plans - including looking for staff for the venue - that will no doubt be put into action in the coming months.

They hope to have the Metro open every day - but only as a club for the weekends. So whether it's gym classes, mental health groups, or just anyone who needs the space - they hope to have locals using it.

Many may not wish to believe it, but these two men have well and truly turned a dream into reality, and opening night is well within view.