Former Bristol nightclub could become church

A former Bristol nightclub which closed after a man was shot dead in the entrance lobby could be turned into a church and creche.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has won planning permission to develop Club UK in Stokes Croft, which closed as a nightclub two years ago.

The church is led by Pastor Kasali Fatai and currently based at the Ceed Hall in Wilder Street, St Paul's, with a congregation of 60 people.

The Stokes Croft Steering Group, which is asked for its views on planning applications in the area, has welcomed the plan to bring the metal-fronted building back into use.

Although planning permission has been granted by Bristol City Council, it is understood the sale of the site to the church has not been completed.

The steering group hopes the front of the building will be improved as part of the move.

Established in Nigeria in 1952, the Redeemed Christian Church of God describes itself as a "growing church with many branches all over the world".

Club UK, which residents in nearby Jamaica Street complained was noisy into the early hours, was formally used as tyre depot and was also once home to Avon County Council social club.

In its planning application, the church said it would hold one late Friday prayer meeting each month which would go on until 2am and would involve up to 20 worshippers.

Club UK has been closed since the death of Dean Myles, aged 19, who was shot dead in the venue in September 2006.

Last month, the three men accused of killing the teenager walked free from court after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against them.

They were expected to face a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict following an eight-week trial in 2007.

Campaigners have protested against the closure of nightclubs in Stokes Croft.

Community campaign group the People's Republic of Stoke's Croft objected to plans to knock down nearby Lakota and turn it into flats. But the proposals were given the go ahead in June.

The Clockwork Club was saved in July by councillors acting on planning officers' advice and following appeals from opponents worried about the loss of another music venue in the city.