AROUND 35 jobs are at risk at Bournemouth’s biggest nightclub after a major chain went into administration.

Luminar Leisure operates 76 clubs nationwide under brands including Lava Ignite and has a club in Fir Vale Road in the town centre.

The company’s directors yesterday said they had “no option” but administration after banks refused to give further extensions to an £85million debt facility.

A Luminar spokesman said Bournemouth’s Lava Ignite was one of their busiest branches and that it employed some 30 to 35 staff.

They added: “The club will continue to trade over the weekend.”

The Bournemouth club has a main room capacity of 1,300 people and was named best club at Bournemouth’s 2009 Best Bar None Awards, an industry competition.

It also has two smaller rooms dedicated to R&B and disco.

Jon Shipp, Bournemouth Council’s night-time economy co-ordinator, said: “This clearly demonstrates the current volatility of the general nightclub industry. “Our main concern is for the future of the employees at Lava Ignite, Bournemouth’s largest night club, and the hope that a buyer for the venue can be found as soon as possible.”

The Bournemouth club was known as Elements until 2008.

Luminar used to own the former Ice Rink on Bournemouth’s Westover Road but was “bitterly disappointed” when it failed to get planning permission to convert it into a casino in 2008.

The company recorded losses of £198million to the end of February as sales dropped by 19 per cent. Its shares were suspended at 0.7p on Tuesday, having fallen from more than 600p over the past five years.

Luminar employs 3,000 people nationwide and its brands include Fuzzy Logic, Liquid and Oceana, which has a club in Southampton.