IT’S well over a decade since Bournemouth was proclaimed the clubbing capital of Britain and a heck of a lot has changed.

Back in 1997 when, in the wake of anti-rave legislation effectively banning outdoor dance parties, the superclub held sway.

And, right there at the forefront, was Bournemouth’s very own Slinky which debuted in May 1997 at the Opera House (now O2 Academy ) and prompted the influential Muzik magazine to describe the town as “Britain’s new clubbing capital”.

Within six months the BIC hosted its first all-nighter as the world’s most influe-ntial DJs queued up to play in our little seaside town.

However, musical tastes and an explosion of bar culture soon eroded Bournemouth’s clubbing reputation until there was practically nothing left.

Now the pendulum looks set to swing the other way with V Club set to usher in a new era of entertainment and cutting-edge dance music for Friday nights.

Situated in the former St Andrew’s Church in Exeter Road, the nightclub will be operated by businessman James Beedham, with help from nightclub consultant Richard Carr who was also responsible for the success of Slinky.

Acts being booked for the new joint venue are coming thick and fast and include the cream of the current crop of acts and DJs.

September and October alone will see appearances from Professor Green, inset left, Kissy Sell Out and Zane Lowe.

In November the club is attracting the legendary Pete Tong, Tinchy Stryder and DJ Fresh who is currently dominating the charts.

“We’ve decided to push the boat out and try and create a night that revolves around entertainment, hence the reason why we have a roster of the top DJs in the world.

“We’re reversing the clock back to the Slinky days.

“We’re trying to create club culture again and bring back that wow factor,” says Richard Carr.

All the signs suggest that Bournemouth is ready to get back into the groove and reclaim its crown as clubbing capital. “It’s an exciting venue and I think people have become fed up with being ripped-off by music festivals.

“Here you’re seeing a great DJ in a great environment where you know it’s not going to rain. It will also boost the local economy and people will be travelling from out of town staying in hotels and shopping locally.”

V Presents begins on September 28 with Professor Green.