Dundee’s ailing nightclub scene is set for a much-needed shot in the arm with the takeover of Fat Sams by a well-established city-based promotions company.
Two floors in the building, the original Fat Sams and the Karma Lounge, are to be turned into ’80s and ’90s-themed venues under the names Tropicana and Vogue.
In addition, the smaller cocktail bar is to be resurrected as a chillout area with a piano for informal music singalong sessions.
The man behind the takeover Tony Cochrane of TC Promotions already operates a string of clubs from Inverness toAberdeen, Dundee to Fife and Edinburgh, including gentlemen’s club Private Eyes.
The former Lawside Academy pupil has a long history in hosting events in the city, having promoted the first Northern Soul all-nighters in Scotland at the Marryat Hall and running jazz-funk and Club Feet alternative music clubs back in the 1970s and ’80s before organising rave nights at Dundee’s De Stihls and Bally’s in Arbroath.
Tony takes over the running of the club today and predicts a return to good times for Fat Sams, which The Courier recently reported had been operating for only four hours a week under outgoing bosses Luminar Leisure.
He said: “I am taking over Fat Sams’ top two rooms and turning them into Vogue ’90s club and Tropicana ’80s club, with the back lounge being Fat Sams Piano Bar.
“That’s with a homage to its heyday, using old photos and posters etc and a singalong piano player.
“I already have similar venues inAberdeen and Edinburgh, themed up with everything from a Back to the Future DeLorean to original Spice Girls costumes.
“They are very successful and I think we can be just as successful here. I think the people of Dundee are just waiting forsomething to happen.
“I will also be caretaking Fat Sams Live until further notice to ensure all the live dates continue.
“At present I operate nine other clubs throughout Scotland in Inverness,Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife.”
Tony has also recently obtained a share in a company in Los Angeles which isresponsible for the production and marketing of the Grammy Awards.
Management at Fat Sams are looking for old club memorabilia and are asking that people connect via the Club Tropicana and Vogue Dundee Facebook site.
A spokesman for the club added: “The last proper trading day is Saturday,October 18 and it will be an emotional night for all the staff.We look forward to seeing old regulars from back in the day.”
Fat Sams was taken over on a possible 15-year lease by Luminar Leisure last year however, the national company has decided not to exercise the option to take it past the first year.
Dundee’s biggest nightclub and one of the biggest in Scotland can hold a total of 3,500 people but over recent years itsfortunes have plummeted due to competition from the casino, which is free entry and is licensed to sell alcohol till 6am,plus many city centre pubs being granted licences till 2.30am over the past few years.