Newcastle ‘superclub’ The Lofts has shut down with all jobs lost after being drawn into an ongoing FCA investigation involving a separate business owned by director John Dance.
Dead Vibey Leisure Limited launched the city’s biggest nightclub, The Lofts, and adjoining pub venture The Hustle less than two years ago, opening to great fanfare in the former Tiger Tiger site. Co-founders Rob Seaman, John Dance and Marty Smith created around 80 jobs when the 1,500 capacity site opened in August 2021, providing a much needed boost to Tyneside’s nightlife industry.
Now, however, the club has closed for good and all 79 staff have been made redundant, following the appointment of business restructuring specialists at FRP Advisory. The company confirmed that Steven Ross and Allan Kelly were appointed as joint administrators to Dead Vibey Leisure Limited on May 15 due to issues relating to an ongoing investigation by the FCA.
