THE director of the trading company behind top Bournemouth night-spot Landmarc has revealed that the venue has been sold to a national operator in London.

Both Landmarc, based in a converted church in Exeter Road, and nightclub 2020 are run by GAD Leisure.

The businesses both shut recently despite consistently attracting hundreds of visitors to the town.

Yesterday director at GAD Leisure Josh Simons said in a statement that although Landmarc would continue under new owners, Club 2020 would not reopen.

He said: “After four successful years providing Bournemouth with a unique night time experience we are pleased to announce that the award-winning Landmarc Restaurant Theatre has been sold to a national operator based in London.”

It blamed the closure of 2020 on “unreasonable” demands by the council for further renovation of the building following building work which was finished in Janaury.

“We would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of customers that have supported both businesses over the years,” it added.

The statement did not specify what the council demands were, and Bournemouth Borough Council had not responded at the time of going to press.

A Facebook group has been set up which suggests that Landmarc will reopen as V Club on Thursday April 9 – the start of the Easter weekend.

Entrepreneur Richard Carr recently confirmed that he was involved as an adviser in a bid to take over Landmarc.

Mr Carr, who previously ran a string of bars and clubs, cannot put finance into a bid or run a business himself because he was made bankrupt last year.

Bournemouth has seen several bars and restaurants close in recent months but Jon Shipp, Bournemouth’s night-time economy manager, has insisted although trade is down on weekdays, venues continue to attract the crowds at weekends.