In a move that marks a timely shot in the arm for the city's accelerating night-time economy, national bar and nightclub operators Epic Bars and Clubs have stepped in to take ownership of Gloucester's Atik nightclub.

Backed by a plan to spend £0.75m on the venue at 141, Eastgate Street, Epic publicity boss Nick Martindale told Punchline-Gloucester.com that, in the wake of purchase of the site from the Neos Hospitality chain, an ambitious move for the venue will see it take on an entirely new look and name, while all current staff will be retained and 30 additional jobs created.

Mr Martindale told Punchline-Gloucester.com: "It's been a really tough few years for the night-time economy, but our experience as previous owners of the nearby Fever bar in Gloucester led us to set our sights on the Atik venue some time back.

"There's been an awful lot of doom and gloom written around the sector but at Epic we genuinely believe we are heading for the most exciting time yet. We are experiencing an upward trend in activity and the activity in Gloucester really matches our business target: key to that is not being greedy, and offering people a great night out that is both safe and enjoyable. This new venue will do just that."

Atik will host two final closing parties on July 19 and 20, and the site will then undergo a massive £750,000 redevelopment from Epic's in-house building team, Mr Martindale added, before re-opening on the weekend of August 30 and 31 as Trilogy.

He said: "All staff will retain their positions along with creating 30-plus new jobs whilst restoring the venue to its former glory and re-establishing it in its rightful place as the area's leading late night entertainment venue.

"We are thrilled to be bringing our Epic brand of magic to Gloucester. We've got something so extraordinary planned for this site as we take it into its next chapter as Trilogy, and we can't reveal the final details yet, though there may be a hint in the name as to how many floors there are."

Mr Martindale also said that as well as day-time parties and "bottomless brunches", some use of the club hours are likely to be dedicated to bingo, in reflection of the game's surge in popularity amid a younger demographic.

Now claiming to be the UK's "fastest growing chain of bars and nightclubs" since it began in 2019, Cheltenham-based Epic has 22 sites across the UK, including the Trilogy, Labyrinth and Botanic brands. The company opened Home and Botanic in Cheltenham in July 2021 in the wake of a £1.5m refurbishment and, in late 2023, launched a cocktail bar and multi-floor club in Hereford.

Mr Martindale added: "There was a time in the business community when you'd go to a meeting and feel a need to disguise the term 'night club', but that has changed and the resurgence is driven, after the Pandemic, by people knowing that a trip to bargain booze and staying at home just isn't same.

Epic's stated approach to club design is to deliver "world-class entertainment and quality drinks set in the most stunning environments, creating safe and enjoyable nights out for everyone".

Mark Owen, Punchline-Gloucester.com editor, said: "This is brilliant news for Gloucester: as the adage 'build it and they will come' suggests, all the slog that has gone into ensuring our city becomes an attractive place to be at ALL hours is finally paying off. 

"Gloucester is gathering pace: as we now see with the University of Gloucester's new former Debenhams campus, the Cathedral Quarter, the Forum and the Food Dock, the pieces are fitting together to ensure this is a great place – not just for work but crucially for play.

"For too many years, you could walk through the centre at night and watch the tumbleweed; now, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Gloucester City Council, our Business Improvement District team (BID) and Gloucester City Centre Commission, we are witnessing decisions being made like this: private enterprise acting to create jobs and bring a buzz that will help ensure our economy doesn't drift out of town as soon as the shops close. Well done, Epic, for spotting this prime night-time opportunity and adding a thrill to the after-hours menu."