June 24, 2011 4.42 pm This story is over 153 months old

Lincoln clubs defy tough new competition

Dance-off: Lincoln’s most popular clubbing venues will face tough competition from two new clubs opening this autumn.

Lincoln’s most popular clubbing venues will face tough competition from two new clubs opening in the city this autumn, in a combined £4.5 million investment.

Construction is underway at the two new clubs, The Annexe and Tokyo Lincoln, with a total of eight clubs in the city centre when work is completed later this year.

Some £3.5 million will be used to renovate two new clubs, with both set to open this autumn. When finished, the venues will be two of the largest in Lincoln.

However, some of the biggest clubs in Lincoln currently, the Engine Shed, Wahoo, and Ritzy, are confident the new high-end venues won’t damage their trade.

Wahoo, which was previously Chicago’s, has been open for just six months. Alan Bunce, Manager of Wahoo, said: “I always look forward to new clubs opening in Lincoln because it’s good for the night life as a whole.

“Our club has a number of popular nights and we book great DJ’s as well. We will have to see what happens when these new venues open in regards to adapting.”

Paul Oloo, General Manager of Ritzy, said: “We have been trading for 20 years now are well-priced, so we have a good foothold within the market. We have a number of regulars and our nights are very popular within the community.

“A new club choice for people is very beneficial for Lincoln, and for other clubs within the area.”

The Engine Shed holds live events as well as club nights. Victoria Simpson, Events and Programme Manager for Engine Shed, said:

“Over the past five years, the Engine Shed has established itself as a home for live music, great acts and an amazing experience.

“We plan to continue this throughout our fifth birthday year and in the future.

“While competition in the city is strong and continually developing, we can only ensure that what we do, we do to the highest standard to ensure all our customers, from students to the general public, have the best experience they can.”

— Sakura declined to comment on the arrival of two big competitors in the city, and Scy were unreachable by the time of publishing.