HUNTINGDON’s Level 2 nightclub will get a facelift under new management after the venue’s previous owners were silenced by a music ban.

HUNTINGDON’s Level 2 nightclub will get a facelift under new management after the venue’s previous owners were silenced by a music ban.

The club, in All Saints Passage, was handed the ban by a High Court judge on Friday after operating without a music licence in June of last year, and proprietors Inspirational Leisure Ltd ordered to pay a �1,800 legal bill.

The venue has since been taken over by Kazenove Entertainment Partners, which promises a rebrand and relaunch of the club within XX TIME.

John Rudd, of the new owners, said: “We have plans to give the club a refurb and an update. It was starting to look a bit tired, so we’ll be looking at getting in new furniture and re-doing the interior.”

The �30,000 revamp is part of the new owners’ plan to open the venue up to a larger audience, and make use of the buildings every night of the week.

Kazenove already runs the Paparazzi caf� next door, and hopes that together the two businesses can offer a social venue to run day and night.

Mr Rudd added: “Previously the club was only open two or three days a week. We’re looking at appealing to a wider audience, so we are thinking of wine tasting evenings and corporate events, and there is a possibility of hosting conferences and meetings too.” He said that Kazenove directors had experience of operating clubs all over Europe, but that the company, which will be based in Huntingdon, was a new venture in the UK.

The club’s previous owners will stay in place to ensure a smooth transition, and had warned Kazenove of the court case over the music licence. Kazenove now has its own music licence in place, added Mr Rudd.

The music ban was imposed on Inspirational Leisure Ltd after the court heard that an inspector for music royalties collecting agency, Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), had called at the club on June 25 2010, and heard music being played without a current licence in force.

The detailed inspector’s report said that songs including ‘Stronger’ by Kanye West, ‘Another Day’ by Lemar and ‘The Sweet Escape’ by Gwen Stefani.

The ruling ordered Inspirational Leisure to buy up-to-date licences before playing music again or risk a fine of up to �10,000, with individuals responsible responsible facing up to six months in prison.

Prosecuting counsel Fiona Clark said that PPL solicitors had sent letters to the premises, notifying owners of the infringements and inviting them to acquire a licence. They failed to do so, and PPL solicitors served notice of the claim on the company.

PPL spokesperson Jonathan Morrish said: “It is a legal requirement in the UK for any business that plays recorded music in public to have a PPL licence.

“PPL takes infringement of its members’ copyright very seriously and we will take the necessary action to protect our members’ rights.”