The future of Gloucester's biggest nightclub could be in doubt, as its owner plans to bring in administrators.

The UK's largest nightclub operator, Rekom UK, which owns Atik in Gloucester, is struggling with higher bills, as reported by the BBC.

Rekom, which also owns the Pryzm brand, said any restructure of the business could see some of its clubs shut for good.

The company blames its financial difficulties on higher energy prices and students cutting back on spending.

Rekom operates around 35 nightclubs in the UK and said last year that its clubs were struggling because of poor midweek trading, which was usually driven by students.

In addition, the rise in minimum wage means it needs to find an extra to £2m to fund staff pay.

The business said it needs to go through a restructure to come back stronger in the future. It added that it will do its best to find new owners and save jobs for any clubs which don't stay part of Rekom UK.

It is not yet clear which venues might be affected, although Pryzm in Watford shut down on January 1.

Punchline-Gloucester.com said: "Atik is the most popular nightclub in Gloucester for young clubbers. Losing the club would be ironic as, for the first time in many years, we have a growing student population in Gloucester, with the University of Gloucestershire and Hartpury University increasing the student accommodation in the city. 

"We really hope it can stay open as, without Atik, many young people may choose to go to clubbing elsewhere, which would be a big loss to the nighttime economy of the city. It's important that we drive the nighttime economy, which isn't just about the nightclub, but the whole ecosystem around it, including other bars, takeaways, taxis and Stagecoach buses. Fingers crossed they find a solution."

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