Recent years have seen some of the many disused and neglected churches and chapels being converted for alternative uses. Most have become residential or office accommodation. However, one Grade II Listed chapel in Salisbury is now serving a more novel purpose – The Chapel nightclub.
Elim Chapel, now converted to nightclub in Sailsbury
Built in 1896, the chapel served the Elim Methodist community of Salisbury for nearly 100 years. But during the 1990s it laid empty, falling further and further into disrepair until it was spotted by enterprising father and son team – Peter and Jonathan Newbury, and their company, Tactless Ltd.
Peter and Jonathan saw its potential as a multi-purpose leisure venue, with a unique difference, so in 1997 set about converting the space and making it fit for purpose for its new guise. Many of the Chapels original features have been retained – including 15ft high stained glass windows; pew seating at ground and balcony level and the Pulpit backed by the Chapel’s magnificent 90-year-old pipe organ. The pulpit now houses a DJ console and small live performance stage that, together with the high-tech sequenced lighting system, produces a celestial club atmosphere.
Large curved head windows treated with acoustic secondary glazing in the conversion of a chapel to nightclub
With a 750 capacity, coupled with its town centre location and close proximity to a residential area, it was essential to keep noise levels to a minimum. An acoustic report confirmed that the large leaded windows were the weakest part of the building and recommended triple glazing. Fortunately, Selectaglaze were able to demonstrate that the installation of a single skin of their secondary glazing could meet the environmental criteria. Fourteen large windows with curved heads were treated with a total of 62 secondary windows in a multi-stack arrangement. Sliding panes allow easy access to the original windows for cleaning and maintenance whilst sightlines have been closely followed and original mouldings retained.
Image courtesy of The Chapel Nightclub in Sailsbury
Elim Chapel, now converted to nightclub in Sailsbury
Built in 1896, the chapel served the Elim Methodist community of Salisbury for nearly 100 years. But during the 1990s it laid empty, falling further and further into disrepair until it was spotted by enterprising father and son team – Peter and Jonathan Newbury, and their company, Tactless Ltd.
Peter and Jonathan saw its potential as a multi-purpose leisure venue, with a unique difference, so in 1997 set about converting the space and making it fit for purpose for its new guise. Many of the Chapels original features have been retained – including 15ft high stained glass windows; pew seating at ground and balcony level and the Pulpit backed by the Chapel’s magnificent 90-year-old pipe organ. The pulpit now houses a DJ console and small live performance stage that, together with the high-tech sequenced lighting system, produces a celestial club atmosphere.
Large curved head windows treated with acoustic secondary glazing in the conversion of a chapel to nightclub
With a 750 capacity, coupled with its town centre location and close proximity to a residential area, it was essential to keep noise levels to a minimum. An acoustic report confirmed that the large leaded windows were the weakest part of the building and recommended triple glazing. Fortunately, Selectaglaze were able to demonstrate that the installation of a single skin of their secondary glazing could meet the environmental criteria. Fourteen large windows with curved heads were treated with a total of 62 secondary windows in a multi-stack arrangement. Sliding panes allow easy access to the original windows for cleaning and maintenance whilst sightlines have been closely followed and original mouldings retained.
Image courtesy of The Chapel Nightclub in Sailsbury
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