FOR eighteen years, Manhattans nightclub in Hereford was regarded as the place to go for anyone who liked to listen to a bit of rock or heavy metal.

But the alternative venue will soon play its final record after its owner decided to turn the disco into an indoor market and café.

Andy Catley, who set up Manhattans with Mark Spalding in 1993 when it was called Manhattans Suite and Video Bar, said that the club will close on October 8.

“We want to thank the customers who made Manhattans such a unique venue and would like to think that we made a small mark on the history of the social scene in Hereford,” he said.

“But at the end, we weren’t making any money. The capacity is 420 and we used to fill that on a Saturday just three years ago, with another 150 people waiting outside, but now we only have about 15 people at midnight.

“A lot of our customers used to come after the pubs closed at 11pm, but mobile phones have killed the industry because people just sit at tables on their phones now and the way people have socialised has changed.”

Not long after being set up, Manhattans attracted a rock and biker following, with its upstairs Libertys nightclub attracting a more commerical crowd with many bands also performing at the venue.

With planning permission for the change of use approved, Mr Catley already has “four or five” people who want to have a stall at the new premises selling clothes, jewellery and beauty products.

Stalls will be situated both downstairs and upstairs, while a café, selling unusual varieties or tea and coffee from various countries, will also be added.

“I could have just sold it, but I had a think about what I could do with it and I have always wanted to go into retail,”

added Mr Catley.

“I hope that the market will be a stepping stone for little businesses and arts and craft people before they move on to something bigger.”