A Bradford nightclub is set to be transformed into one of the region’s largest live music venues in a bid to attract bigger acts to the city centre.

Utopia in Westgate, formerly known as Lingards, will start hosting bands from next month following the completion of work to extend its stage and the installation of a new sound system.

An opening event on Saturday, February 25, will include music from Bradford acts Laika Dog and The Broken Heart Clubs Band as well appearances from TV celebrities.

Live music nights will then be held each month at the venue, which will have capacity for at least 700 people.

Nick Bastow, who was a member of Bradford band Spiral Stars, said he saw the club’s potential as a live music venue and put the idea to owner Dean Loynes. He said: “I looked at it and although it’s a dance club it just oozed a live band venue. It’s naturally made for it. By the time we have finished with the sound system it’s going to be the best sounding venue in Yorkshire. Once bands find out how good it is they will be coming from all over.”

Ash Sharma, a voluntary sector worker from Odsal, has been working with fellow Bradford music enthusiasts Chris Charlesworth and Mark Hall on the start of the live music nights.

Last year the group ran the Bradford Boar Festival at the Delius Pub and organised an event at Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club.

Mr Sharma said: “We feel there isn’t a venue suitable to promote and to bring local bands to Bradford and also the bigger bands. We have had Led Zeppelin, the Beatles in Bradford and U2 played at the university but we haven’t had any big name bands play in Bradford for a long time. The onus is on Sheffield and Leeds.

“We want to attract local talent and give them the opportunity to play and support bigger bands and for them to get noticed. We have got the scope and the motivation to get Bradford noticed.”

For more information call the club on (01274) 432084.