A FORMER nightclub which was once Bournemouth’s biggest gay venue is to be converted back into two shops.

The bar was last known as 2930 The Triangle after its address, and still bears this branding, although in the past the site has been known as Rubyz and Dreams.

It has been closed for several years, leaving two LGBT bar venues in the area – DYMK in Poole Hill and Xchange in the Triangle, which is currently undergoing a major internal refurbishment.

The knocked-through units at 2930 have been purchased by High Profile Properties (UK) Ltd, which intends to “sensitively” fashion two shop fronts “in keeping with the neighbouring shop frontages”.

The flats above the would be left as they are under the plans.

Approving the scheme, council planning officer Sophie Leon said in a report: “This is welcomed as it will create a more active frontage and better reflect the historic pattern of development than the nightclub which did not have windows at ground level and spanned across the two buildings.”

She added: “The proposed use for retail or financial and professional services is considered to have less impact than the nightclub use which had greater potential for noise disturbance.”

While the Triangle area has several bars, and has long been viewed as one of the borough’s main nightlife areas, in January the council imposed new licensing restrictions on Xchange after a neighbour complained about loud music and patrons singing in the early hours.

Concern over a possible increase in crime and disorder saw a proposed members-only club for gay men, G, refused a licence to open in Commercial Road in 2013.

The bid was by 2930 owners Anthony and Linda Withers-Lancashire, who said the new club, like the existing venue, would have drag artist bouncers to shepherd the worse for wear into taxis and defuse any tense situations.