THE businessmen behind a new £500,000 nightclub in Accrington have pledged that the venue will open in the next few weeks after the project was dogged by delays.

The owners of the nightspot, set to be called Industry, were hoping to open by Easter but have been forced to put the date back because of problems installing disabled access.

Mohammed Mukhtar and Thair Iqbal are converting a former shop premises in Church Street into a two-storey nightclub which they say will reinvigorate the town's night life.

Builders have already completed the first floor area of the building, as well as the entrance, and Mr Mukhtar said that they would be working around the clock to ensure the club was ready as soon as possible.

But Mr Mukhtar, 29, said: "Everybody I meet is asking about the club, they are desperate to see it open. We've had people come down here to try to have a look inside.

"I am really pleased with how it is coming along. We've had some delays because of putting in the disabled stairlifts but that is all sorted now.

"I just want people to know that we are working day and night and it won't be long at all until it is open."

He said that he believes the town is in real need of a new nightclub.

He said: "Nowhere in Accrington caters for a more adult audience.

"There used to be a time when the town centre was heaving and we want people to come into Accrington again."

He said that Industry would be an over-21s venue playing R&B, dance and pop music. Mr Mukhtar and Mr Iqbal bought the property for £200,000 and are spending a further £300,000 refurbishing.

The men are hoping to have their licence approved on May 17.

Accrington has only one nightclub, Lar-de-dars in Eagle Street, although it is thought that Opium, Willow Street, which was gutted by a blaze in December 2004, could reopen later this year.