A late night bar in Hornchurch is set to reopen after a change of management.

V Bar, which will operate on Fridays and Saturdays, will reopen at 6pm today (February 23) after the previous managers stepped down in late December.

Terry Lawrence, 38, former DJ and V Bar director, said the closure of Atik in Romford on January 15 had signalled a change in the nightlife sector.

"Nightlife is evolving, but with the overheads large venues are struggling to stay afloat," Terry, who lives in Gidea Park, said. "Atik is an example of that."

RELATED NEWS: Romford Recorder readers recall Atik nightclub after closure

Atik was one of many clubs forced to shut after parent company Rekom UK, the country's biggest nightclub firm which also owns Pryzm, was unable to reach an agreement with its landlord.

Terry, whose bar will play primarily 80s and 90s club classics and disco, said he was looking to keep nightlife going in Hornchurch.

"It would just fade away," Terry said, when asked what would happen without proper investment. "It's not an easy industry to be involved in, [but] we want to try and maintain an affordable night out."

Romford Recorder: Terry reflected on Atik Romford's closure, saying nightlife is 'evolving'Terry reflected on Atik Romford's closure, saying nightlife is 'evolving' (Image: Google)

He also took the opportunity to address possible concerns over noise pollution.

"We want to do it by the book," he said. "All windows in the venue are triple glazed - noise pollution shouldn't be an issue."

Terry said building a relationship with people in Hornchurch was vital, and has been a key part of the business since its 2003 opening.

"It's important for us to have a good relationship with the local community," Terry said. "People have been coming here for ten to 20 years."

He acknowledged the problems faced by the nightlife sector, having had to bounce back from the Covid pandemic, but said he was keen to provide an affordable place for people to unwind.

"I've actually been in here as a customer many times," Terry said.

"With some venues closing down, its important to me to keep Hornchurch as a place people can go out, enjoy themselves and have a great night," he added.