Liquid nightclub to re-open as Wonderland

1:20pm Saturday 3rd March 2012 in Local By Simon Moss

Wonderland nightclub in Sutton Wonderland nightclub in Sutton

A NEW operator has taken over Basingstoke’s biggest nightspot and is planning a grand re-opening next month, The Gazette can exclusively reveal.

Wonderland Nightclub, as it will be known, will open on April 5 on the site of the former Liquid club, which closed its doors in November last year after its parent company went into administration.

Wonderland is owned by entertainment company No Saints Ltd, which runs two other nightclubs in Sutton and Mansfield. The venues have an Alice in Wonderland theme, and bosses say the new venue will provide something “completely different”.

Ian Mayor, general manager for the nightspot in Basingstoke, said: “We want to entertain people, especially in Basingstoke, but also to draw others in who might otherwise go out in Winchester or Fleet. We want it to be a safe environment where people can come with their friends and have a good time.

“It is not going to be just about beer bottles and alcopops. We have some really good cocktails and are looking at getting some acts in to perform, but I cannot say who just yet. It will be a really fun, quirky night out.”

Mr Mayor, 25, said he knows anti-social behaviour and violence was an issue at the former venue, and has pledged that the safety of customers will be a top priority.

He added: “We are excited. It is a great venue and we are looking forward to becoming part of Basingstoke. We are aware that there has been some trouble in the past, but our primary concern will be safety. We want to entertain people and part of being entertained is not being punched in the face.

“It is an exciting time for us but also for Basing-stoke. I can guarantee this venue will offer something completely new.”

The nightclub is being rented to Wonderland by Festival Place shopping centre.

Jane Stewart, marketing manager at Festival Place, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement on the nightclub which will bring new vibrancy to Basingstoke’s nightlife.

“Festival Place is more than a shopping centre – it is a social hub for Basingstoke and the surrounding areas. Having confirmed a new operator, we are confident that the club, when it re-opens in April, will be a fantastic new nightlife venue.”

Comments(12)

pipkins444 says...
6:24pm Sat 3 Mar 12

This is a very good idea to bring something different to basingstoke, however I think a key point to avoiding any trouble and anti-social behaviour would be to make this an over 21s club. Most bars in town are now over 21s and the anti social problem does not seem to be in these bars. Just a thought. Also a lot of people stopped attending liquids purely because it was full of very young people causing trouble, couldnt handle their drinks and became known as 'nappy night'. (not to offend anyone) I would advise to avoid this and bring the right custom you should become an over 21s club. - Charlotte, Basingstoke, 24.

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bell41 says...
1:09pm Mon 5 Mar 12

I agree this would bring something different to basingstoke, and think it is a very good idea making it over 21s then you will get more people wanting to go. We don't want the same thing happening when it was liquids, when it was full of very young people causing trouble because they have drank to much and want to cause trouble. Please make the new Wonderland Club in Basingstoke an over 21S.

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deepinsight says...
1:32pm Mon 5 Mar 12

"It is not going to be just about beer bottles and alcopops. We have some really good cocktails"

So, it's going to be about beer bottles, alcopops and cocktails.

Is this an improvement? I don't think so.

The idea of making the club and over 21s venue does go some way to reduce the violence, drunken and anti-social behaviour that were part of Liquid's contribution to the community - particularly the under 18's buying cheap booze from Tesco, downing this in the Church grounds or Glebe gardens and then generally being a pain in the esra before and after visiting the saluburious establishment that was Liquids.

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Milesy19 says...
12:37am Tue 6 Mar 12

as a person born in basingstoke but currently away at uni, i find it offensive that the older town goers are quick to blame the violence and anti social behaviour on those who are under 21. in my experience of town before i went off to uni, it was more often than not the older towngoers who were the ones causing trouble, and many of my age group will say the same, alcohol can make anyone agressive and anti social, please dont make the assumption that because someone is younger they cant handle their drink as well, i have seen many a 21 and over ridiculously inebriated whilst on a night out in basingstoke. whats the point of the legal drinking age being 18 if there is nowhere to go out and have an enjoyable night? if a person is being antisocial or agressive, then ban the individual from going out on the town, dont generalise all young people as uneducated yobs who are up for a scrap, because that is very much a minority. in addition to this, the loss of business that comes with age restrictions is monumental, there are already clubs (tonic comes to mind currently) that are age restricted, so i recommend if an older, "more mature" town goer wants to avoid us "young, immature hooligans" i suggest you go there for your night out. you were 18 once, place yourself in our shoes. sincerely, Milesy19

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sarahclaire says...
12:58am Tue 6 Mar 12

I am a 19 year old living in the Basingstoke area, I don't understand why people over 21 are accusing people younger than them of anti-social behaviour in Liquid, surely people over 21 are just as likely to cause trouble as someone who is 20. There is enough bars in town that only allow over 21's in, why should another club open up it's doors purely for the mature customers?
Taking the previous comment into account under 18 year olds should not have been allowed into the venue therefore I feel that is down to the security not the club. I, however don't think making Wonderland over 21 would be a wise decision, Basingstoke has already lost a lot of business closing it's doors to anyone aged 18-20, and I feel that too could be the downfall of the club.

Just something to think about really.

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jaimeson says...
9:35am Tue 6 Mar 12

Its all very well and good getting a new club but we are all forgetting liquid was modernized only a short time ago, I have been to far worse places the club its self was quite a nice place but as with all places in Basingstoke it was let down by the patrons. I think an age restriction might help however there are good and bad in all ages! My friends and I no longer go out in town since liquids closed, we used to go on a Saturday night when it was an older crowd so i do hope saturdays are at least over 21.

I wish the new club luck and just hope they can keep the bad element at bay.

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robertspet8 says...
3:13pm Tue 6 Mar 12

I hate all this pre-occupation with age. Just put in some comfy sofas, slippers and Cocoa drinks machines and you will get the the right age of customer. And there will be no danger of late-night disturbances because they will all be off to their beds by 9:00 o'clock at night. :-)

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Sam_Walker says...
4:45pm Thu 8 Mar 12

Staying in and drinking is the best option.

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UKIP Basingstoke says...
10:24pm Thu 8 Mar 12

It is not a case of socialising or being out, but doing so responsibly. I hope that those who go to the new nightclub show the town that it can be run well and be fun for those who go there. It is very often a yobbish minority that ruin it for everyone else. It is wrong to vilify the young as they have a right to be young and express themselves - it is up to the older generation(s) to set an example that they can trust and follow.

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robertspet8 says...
1:48pm Fri 9 Mar 12

UKIP Basingstoke wrote:
It is not a case of socialising or being out, but doing so responsibly. I hope that those who go to the new nightclub show the town that it can be run well and be fun for those who go there. It is very often a yobbish minority that ruin it for everyone else. It is wrong to vilify the young as they have a right to be young and express themselves - it is up to the older generation(s) to set an example that they can trust and follow.
Unfortunately the examples they follow generally have prominent media profiles: footballers and their wags, singers, actors, musicians, Z list celebrities, etc.
Fortunately they dont generally stoop to the levels of some of the political elite, the press and the Met police. :-)

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robertspet8 says...
1:52pm Fri 9 Mar 12

UKIP Basingstoke wrote:
It is not a case of socialising or being out, but doing so responsibly. I hope that those who go to the new nightclub show the town that it can be run well and be fun for those who go there. It is very often a yobbish minority that ruin it for everyone else. It is wrong to vilify the young as they have a right to be young and express themselves - it is up to the older generation(s) to set an example that they can trust and follow.
Unfortunately the examples they follow generally have prominent media profiles: footballers and their wags, singers, actors, musicians, Z list celebrities, etc.
Fortunately they dont generally follow the examples of some of the political elite, the press and the Met police. :-)

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Richie Russ says...
3:38pm Sat 17 Mar 12

I have been going to clubs all over the place for too many years to remember since the 80's... You are all correct as individuals of all ages can cause trouble. The tone of a club is set by its decor, lighting and music played. Liquid was a dark dreary place. With cheesy dreary old pop music therefore some of the people on set acted the part. Brighten and glam the place up, put up the prices and the people will oblige!

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