A REBRANDED nightclub which hoped to enhance Blackburn's nightlife has been closed and sold.

Ego, which was dubbed the ‘Dance Emporium’, has shut its doors 18 months after it opened.

The late-night venue on the corner of Mincing Lane and St Peter Street was aimed at clubbers of all ages.

Estate agents Trevor Dawson Chartered Surveyors said the club, formerly the Stage Door, had been sold.

However it was unable to make public who had purchased it.

On the club’s Facebook page, a spokesman announced the closure.

He said: “Well folks the time has come to say our goodbyes .

“So we would like to thank all our customers old and new for the last seven years it really has been a blast and it’s a real shame it has got to this.

“Now, we would like to also thank all the management, bar staff, door staff past and present for all the hard work they have all put in over the years.

“We could not have done all we have done without all of you.”

The previous owner, Paul Robinson, had ran the bar, which had a 250 capacity, for seven years.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph last year, he said he made the decision to invest in the premises after a decline in clubbers visiting the venue.

The club also had a change in music direction and a free entry policy.

James Newton, former bouncer and member of Improve Blackburn’s Nightlife group, said he had high hopes for the site to be turned into another business.

He said: “I have to say it’s really sad news the Dance Emporium has closed.

“But I am sure we can attract another business owner to the venue to reignite it.

“I would really like it to become a restaurant of some sort, maybe something we do not have a lot of in Blackburn, such as a Chinese buffet.

“They have these in other towns and city’s like Preston.

“I honestly believe when one door closes, another one shall open.

“A new restaurant opening would come at the right time, especially with all the regeneration going on in Blackburn.

“It would be great to get somewhere opened before Christmas.”