By Victoria Raimes

Last updated 12:09, Thursday, 17 April 2008

A CARLISLE nightclub with a proud 30-year history has closed as the crisis in the city’s clubland claimed yet another victim.

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Andy Park: Closure is ‘like a death’

The Twisted Wheel and Legends nightclub, which have in recent months operated as one venue, is the latest Carlisle nightspot to shut its doors because of the dwindling number of customers.

The club, at West Walls, opened for the last time on Friday.

A spokesman for Carlisle Glass, which owns the business, said today: “We can confirm that the Twisted Wheel nightclub and Legends nightclub have closed from April 11 2008. A downturn in trade has regrettably led to the closure of the premises.”

He said staff were fully consulted about the closure.

The club’s demise comes just a few months after the same happened to sister nightclub, Liquid, formerly XS, which closed at the end of January.

Now the West Walls building, which was home to all three clubs, stands dormant and is due to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Carlisle’s best known nightclub entrepreneur Ged Crooks warned last year that Carlisle’s nightlife faced a crisis because it was being hit by a combination of cheap booze from outlets such as supermarkets and an oversupply of venues.

The shutdown of the Twisted Wheel – a favourite nightspot for many generations of Cumbrians – will be seen as a significant loss.

Andy Park, of Andy Park Promotions, said: “This is a devastating blow for the clubbing community. The Wheel has been around forever and it is known by everybody. The loss is like a death. At one time the Wheel was busy five nights a week, hosting bands such as the Bay City Rollers. The club kick-started Carlisle’s nightlife scene into action when it opened in 1974. It is a piece of our history.”

The shutdown is one of many in Carlisle over the past few months. Since January, Yates’ Wine Lodge in Citadel Row, Babylove nightclub in Botchergate and Leonardo’s restaurant in Lonsdale Street have folded.

Botchergate bar Cassa is now only open on weekends after closing temporarily.

But this time round help may be at hand. Carlisle bar Suede, in the Crescent, has vowed to minimise the damage caused to Wheel employees and customers.

Suede manager Julie Grierson believes the Wheel’s weekly rock nights could live on in her bar. She said: “We have shared doorstaff and a couple of part-time employees with the Wheel for a long time now so it seems natural to step in.

“I used to go to the Wheel in the 1980s and I loved the rock nights. I know the students here were still enjoying them. If the customers are happy with the idea we will start hosting weekly rock nights of our own.”

Suede has invited all Twisted Wheel and Legends staff to start working for them.

Julie said “We’ll be closing in five weeks’ time to undergo a total refurbishment. When we reopen we aim to hold a rock night on Wednesday and other themed nights. We will offer employment to all of the staff out of a job.”