York nightclub to reopen under new management

A York nightclub which looked to have shut forever will reopen next month, if all goes to plan.

Kuda, on Clifford Street, was closed by the lockdowns for much of last year.

In December owner The Deltic Group went into administration. It was bought by a Scandinavian group Rekom, saving many venues around the UK.

But this deal came too late for Kuda, which couldn’t secure a long-term lease and it announced it had closed for good shortly before Christmas.

Sensing an opportunity, York-based developers Grantside and North Star formed a joint venture to buy the Grade II listed building which houses both Kuda and the York Dungeon.

In March they announced a plan to find new nightclub operator to “help rejuvenate York’s night-time economy as the city emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic”.

And now that operator has been found.

Exciting new plans

A spokesperson for the developers told YorkMix: “Grantside and North Star can confirm we are in advanced negotiations with a new operator for the former Kuda nightclub and expect to the club re-open in line with government guidelines on 21 June.

“The night-time economy for York is hugely important to the city and we are delighted that this very popular nightclub will be re-opening so soon after our acquisition in March of this year.

“We hope to announce details of the new operator and their exciting plans for the club shortly.”

A company called CC Stim UK Tradeco 2 Limited has now applied to City of York Council for a premises licence for Kuda on Clifford Street.

Registered in Milton Keynes, this company shares two of its directors with The Deltic Group.

It wants to open Kuda from 11am to 4.30am every day, and serve alcohol till 4am daily.

The licence is now out for consultation and the last day for representations is 14 June.