Controversial Doncaster town centre night club closes down

The Priory in Lazarus Court has closed down.

The Priory in Lazarus Court shut down on Saturday - but is set to bounce back with a new name and new look later in the year.

A post on the bar's Facebook page said: "It's with great sadness to announce that The Priory will be closing its doors. A deal has been done with another company, who will be doing a refit, along with rebranding and a change of music policy. We wish them the best of luck."

US band Electric Six, who had a hit with Danger! High Voltage played at The Priory.

The venue held a series of events over the course of last weekend to sign off in style.

However, the bar has never been far from controversy over the years with a number of incidents including a mass brawl and a man being kicked unconscious at the venue among the wrong kind of headlines it has attracted since its opening.

The post added: "Over the years we've tried to be different, we've tried to inspire people of the town with putting DJs/ bands on which would only be found playing cities.

"We don't believe there's a town around without a university what could match the acts we've put on in little old Donny. We've had some amazing wild nights... too wild sometimes for the authority's (sic) haha."

In 2013, a court heard how a man was off work for five months after being kicked unconscious in The Priory, which was previously known as Flares and before that, The King's Head.

And in 2009, a man was taken to hospital after a mass brawl involving up to 30 people broke out in the club.

Fifteen police officers were called to deal with the violence after receiving reports of a disturbance from bouncers.

Nightclub in chaos after mass brawl

A policeman stands guard outside the pub after an incident during the bar's chequered history.

People inside the club when the fight erupted said that clubbers were running behind a bar to arm themselves with glass bottles and a table was thrown downstairs during the fracas. A number of bottles were thrown and one man was struck which resulted in a cut to his head and bruising to his eye, police said.

Earlier this year, the club was been given the all-clear to open until 6am, despite police concerns.

The club's Facebook statement added: "Crazy unforgettable nights what will live forever in our minds. Priory ruined lives and shoes someone once said. At the end of night there was more beer on the floor and ceiling through people chucking it in the air while dancing. That's our excuse anyway."

The Courteeners are among the bands to have played at the venue over the years.

The venue has hosted a string of top chart stars and DJs over the years including bands and acts such as The Courteeners, Electric Six, The Pigeon Detectives, Utah Saints, Example, Miss Dynamite, Goldie and many more.