Scottish Independence “You can’t make a discussed in new writer”- Fadia Faqir ! New Politics section Interview Palatinate, page 9
No. 736 www.palatinate.org.uk
Indigo Books, page 3
Palatinate Durham’s student newspaper since 1948
Tuesday 31st January 2012 | FREE
In PalatinAlps: All aspects of the trip reviewed
Despite original outrage, curiosity about the new Klute has won over Durham students Photograph: Nicoletta Asciutto
‘New Klute’ still pulling crowds Nathan Noerr Alexander Bond
Durham’s nightclub Klute recently underwent a £40,000 refurbishment which, despite having provoked outrage in the student population, has led to a rise in visits to the club based on figures from this time last year. The infamous nightclub has updated its sound system, installed state-of-the-art plasma televisions and transformed the outdoor area. The new management have also opened up the previously exclusive ‘VIP area’ for general purposes. Despite changes to ‘modernise Klute’s image’, the General Manager, Andrew Golding promised he had been “sensitive to the heritage of Klute so kept up the old tradition and
identity”. Palatinate has exclusively revealed that Tuesday nights will remain as ‘Classic Klute’, a testament to the popularity of the ‘cheesy tunes’ of which students are fond. However, the other nights have changed in an example of ‘new elements’ introduced by Mr Golding. Saturday night offers a particularly racy ‘Risqué’ theme featuring burlesque dancers. These changes have caused outrage among some students. A student from Castle even said that some students have “chosen to boycott the club altogether”. Student discontent has manifested in a Facebook group called ‘Bring back real Klute’ which amassed over 1,500 followers. Mr Golding was quick to dampen what he saw as a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to the changes.
He also stated that vandalism had occurred but that it had only caused a minimal amount of damage.
“We have kept up the old tradition and identity” Andrew Golding General Manager
The situation became so prominent that the Durham Union Society decided to hold an ‘emergency debate’ on the issue, attended by the new management. Mr Golding argued that the changes would restore Klute to its former glory. However, with twice as many people visiting compared to this time last year, Mr Golding claimed that this “media interest has strengthened the
relationship that students have with Klute and we are extremely looking forward to sponsoring Durham’s Charity Fashion Show next week”. Durham’s student pre-drinking culture has resulted in a decline in revenues for the City’s nightclubs. This led to the closure of Studio last year. Mr Golding remained adamant that if students want Klute to continue to exist they have to “use it or lose it”. Despite some students choosing not to visit Klute, the management remain confident of the clubs continued success after the first two weeks saw Klute achieve full attendance on a number of occasions.
Inside Palatinate >> More on our exclusive coverage of Klute’s renovations (see PTV, p2)
Comment: Press curtailment not just in Middle East
Food: Easy, healthy New Year recipes