Multimillionaire businessman John Pennington has bought Bradford's biggest nightclub, Maestros.

But what the wealthy entrepreneur plans to do with the club is still a mystery.

The Telegraph & Argus broke the news that the 3,000-capacity club on Manningham Lane had changed hands on Monday.

But the company behind the sale, Rank Entertainment, and the club's manager Phil Lumley remained tight-lipped as to the identity of the new owner.

After strenuous efforts by the T&A to establish the identity of the new owner, Mr Pennington finally admitted today: "Yes, I've bought it."

But mystery still surrounds the Maestro's future, with the Bradford-born businessman refusing to comment on his plans for the site.

The sale of the nightclub was signed and sealed last Friday and Mr Pennington's first move was to close the premises 24 hours later for a refit.

It is believed the refurbished building will continue to be used for entertainment purposes, although not necessarily as a nightclub.

Mr Pennington told the T&A: "We are currently closed for refurbishment and will be clearing the place out this weekend, but I cannot reveal any more than that."

The 49-year-old, who was born in Frizinghall, has made no secret of the fact he has been looking to take on a new business challenge. His decision to purchase the club comes two months after he sold the Pennington Midland Hotel for £4.25million.

After the sale of the city centre landmark he spent six years restoring, Mr Pennington told the T&A: "I cannot say what I am going to do next, but I am looking for a new project, preferably in Bradford."

It is believed The Maestro was first put on the market by Rank Entertainment last year. The leisure multi-national paid an undisclosed amount for the premises in 1995.

Richard Segal, managing director of Rank's entertainment sector, said: "As part of our ongoing strategy we reviewed our property site and identified a number of venues we wished to sell, one being Bradford."

Mr Pennington has not revealed how much he paid for the nightclub, but Bradford DJ Steve Evans claimed he made an unsuccessful bid of £450,000 after being quoted a sale price of £1.25million by Rank.

Mr Evans - who was DJ at the former Millionaires nightclub on Hall Ings, Bradford, for five years - said: "I'm just glad it's not gone to a supermarket chain or property developer. I know John well and wish him the best of luck. I hope that whatever he decides to do with the place puts Bradford back on the leisure map."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.