First images of former Morecambe nightclub revealed as developer sets out 'Queen's Market' vision for future

The former Crystal T's and Concorde Squash Club in Victoria Street is undergoing a major makeover, as owner Nick Smith now looks to the future usage of the building.
By Nick Lakin
Published 23rd Apr 2021, 10:07 BST
Updated 23rd Apr 2021, 10:12 BST

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Nick's vision for Queen's Market would see a food hall operating on the first floor, space for artisan market stalls on the ground floor, and a modern space for young people in what was the Concorde Squash Club in the basement area.

Nick sees the building working like the hugely successful market and food hall in Altrincham, or Mackie Mayor in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

It could also include event and performance spaces too.

The first floor area with market stalls on the left.The first floor area with market stalls on the left.
The first floor area with market stalls on the left.
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Over the past few years, the former Morecambe High School pupil has been single-handedly restoring the building - replacing rotten floor joists, refurbishing the roof and revealing many of the original features.

His vision would bring the building full circle, as it was first built as a market hall in 1895.

It was later home to the Palladium Cinema before becoming home to the nightclub and squash club in the early 1980s.

Crystal Ts closed in the mid-2000s and the squash club shut in 2008.

The frontage in Victoria Street.The frontage in Victoria Street.
The frontage in Victoria Street.
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Nick told The Visitor and the Lancaster Guardian that the next phase of the project was to work with the community in Morecambe to create a hub of activity that would complement a growing artistic and cultural movement in the town.

He is now looking to work towards a sustainable future for the building which could take the form of a social enterprise or not-for-profit company, or a mixture of several operators.

Funding is also being sought to launch the project.

"It's still a fair way off," Nick said.

The building has had various uses over more than a century, and was originally a market hall.The building has had various uses over more than a century, and was originally a market hall.
The building has had various uses over more than a century, and was originally a market hall.

"There will be new shop fronts in Victoria Street, and it's going to make a big difference to the look of this part of the town.

"It has the potential to help in Morecambe's revival."

There are currently no electrics in the building, and Nick has not applied for planning permission for a change of use, but he hopes that when people see the work already undertaken, they will get involved with the project.

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He said that the fabric of the building is in a much better condition now than it was when he first took it on, as these pictures show.

The restoration work at Queen's Market.The restoration work at Queen's Market.
The restoration work at Queen's Market.

"I really hope this has the potential to join the town together, and become a part of the future success of Morecambe," he added.

See our 2017 interview with Nick Smith HERE.You can find out more - and get involved - on the Queen's Market Morecambe Facebook page.

Related topics:Nick SmithMorecambe

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