A NIGHTCLUB in a town centre is being brought back to its former glory — and could be serving up cocktails and live music as soon as restrictions allow.

The building in Liskeard, known to many as the Carlton Suite, was once a cinema, then a nightclub and most recently a sports bar and venue run as the Cornish Ivy.

The Ivy closed in February 2019 and owners the Sobeys later sought advice from Cornwall Council on turning the building into flats.

“That broke my heart,” said Ash Abernethie, who together with his wife Amy and their friend Alex Darling, is taking a plan forward to open The Social Bar and Eatery.

The three are now inside the premises “around the clock” he says, to get the refurbishment done.

“We all grew up in Liskeard or St Cleer and had our first nightclub experiences in the Carlton Suite. Watching that building rot was hurting me a little bit. It’s got so much character and history.”

Ash saw his marketing business Ame Social expand last year with small businesses needing help to go online, and after acquiring a new base in Mayflower Street in Plymouth, he opened the first Social Bar and Eatery on the ground floor.

Now he wants to bring the same ethos — an upmarket cocktail bar atmosphere without any of the snobbery that sometimes surrounds those venues — to Liskeard, as well as offering a place for live music and DJs, comedy, and locally sourced food.

He says it will be a fully multi-functional venue and plans to offer breakfasts and lunches as well as soft play during the day.

He and his wife have two daughters aged two and four, and can see huge potential for an indoor place in Liskeard for parents to get together while kids play.

Meanwhile in the evenings, the aim is to attract bands and DJs that normally you’d have to travel to festivals or venues elsewhere in the South West to see.

“The stage really lends itself,” said Ash.

“The building needs some love, unfortunately since the days of the Carlton Suite it’s really just been patched over.

“So we are properly restoring it, replacing the roof and rewiring.”

Liskeard is expanding, he says, and there is a varied demographic to cater for in terms of nightlife. Ash hopes that the renewed vitality of this venue will have a positive effect in the town.

“We’re looking to bring something to the town that all age groups can enjoy.”

The new business will also bring between 25 to 30 job roles to Liskeard, and recruiting has begun.

News of the plans has been greeted with much happiness by local people, several generations of whom have memories associated with the building in all its guises.

Mayor of Liskeard Rachel Brooks said: “I know there’s a lot of excitement locally about these plans. It’s great that this building will be used for entertainment again and I wish the Social Bar and Eatery every success.”

Town Forum chairman David Ambler said that the project was part of a welcomed continued investment in Liskeard.

“We look forward to seeing this business grow and wish the new owners all the best with their venture. Along with the cattle market, and other companies who have recently moved to the town, it shows how Liskeard has the potential to be a vibrant hub for South East Cornwall.”

And Chamber of Commerce chairman John Pollard was also enthusiastic.

“For a town of this size not to have a better venue is crazy – and it will be used,” he said.

“It’s a positive step and brings an added choice into Liskeard, and hopefully will be a phoenix from the ashes for that building.”