New student flats being built at former Images Nightclub

The former site of Images Nightclub, demolished late last year, is being transformed into 83 student flats by Rengen Developments.

Rengen took on the project from Thorneloe, who originally began demolishing the building in 2021.

Now the new building can be seen beginning to take shape as work continues on the site, which was first used 150 years ago.

The majority of the outer structure of the new building has been built, with work continuing inside and out.

BUILDING: The new building as seen from The Hive's bridge

Work first began to demolish the Images nightclub in November 2021. 

It was originally granted planning permission back in 2019 with the site earmarked for housing.

The original 112-bed plan was altered to an 110-bed nine-storey plan to make the accommodation building the same height as The Hive.

A subsequent plan asked for permission to build a 100-bed building but this was soon reduced to 89 beds before finally settling on an 83-bed building.

Dating back to the 1870s, the building had sat empty since its later reincarnation as Funk nightclub closed down in February 2012.

In 2014, the city council's licensing sub-committee gave the green light for the site to become a club named Mamma Jammas.

The club was aimed at the over 30s and the plans had fierce opposition from West Mercia Police who believed the venue would increase crime in the area.

CLOSED: Images before its demolition

The plans never came to fruition and images remained an eyesore until the demolition plan was approved.

Given the location of the site, building work had to be given more time than expected, with Thorneloe saying in 2021 that it was set to be finished at some point in 2023.

The building which became Images was built in the 1870s by an engineer known as Mr Turton and ran as "The Netherton Company".

In recent years, the site in the Butts became an eyesore, with the derelict site now being given a new lease of life after 150 years.