Smokeys nightclub has announced it will be closing in the New Year – bringing an end to more than 50 years in the town centre.
The late-night venue released a statement last night announcing its plans to shut after New Year’s Eve.
The nightclub said it had made the ‘tough decision’ to leave its home in Nicholsons Walk due to a number of factors including the forthcoming redevelopment of the Nicholsons shopping centre and challenges being faced by the nightclub industry.
A statement posted on the venue’s Facebook page said: “It is with a huge amount of emotion that we are announcing that Smokeys will be closing its doors for the final time after New Year’s Eve.
“Thank you to the millions (yes we did work it out) of customers who have made that long trudge up the staircase since 1967, and eventually come down them much less steadily than they went up.
“To all the relationships and marriages that started off there, and to babies born because mum and dad met at Smokey Joes – we salute you.”
The owners of the town centre nightclub, the Page family, had been at loggerheads with Windsor and Maidenhead council over recent years regarding the venue’s future within a redeveloped Maidenhead town centre.
The former Conservative administration had encouraged the venue to move out to make way for the planned Nicholsons redevelopment but a Government planning inspector slammed the council for making ‘little or no effort’ to find an alternative premises for the nightclub.
In July this year, a High Court battle was averted after the new Lib Dem council reached a confidential agreement with the owners of Smokeys.
The venue paid tribute to all its staff who worked through the night over the years so revellers in Maidenhead could party.
It also thanked all the DJs, musicians and sound engineers who graced its stage over the years.
The nightclub’s bosses said they are planning to continue providing entertainment in the borough through the Fi.Fest music festivals.
Smokeys final night of trading will be on New Year’s Eve with a special ‘ticket-only’ party for ex-staff and friends of the nightclub planned on January 12.
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