IT was the life and soul of the party for a generation of clubbers before it closed just under two years ago.

Move Music Venue attracted some of the biggest names in the music industry to the Borders.

Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, former Radio One DJ Judge Jules, T in the Park residents Slam and pop duo The Cheeky Girls all performed at the Overhaugh Street venue in Galashiels in recent years.

The nightclub, previously known as the Planet, Vertigo, Peaches and Colosseum, has undergone a variety of makeovers.

But now under new management, it is set to reopen as Warehouse after arguably its biggest transformation yet.

Edinburgh based businessman Laith Al-Khamis revealed he first dreamt up the idea of opening his own venue while working as a doorman at Move during Galaween - the legendary Halloween party night in Galashiels.

And now, with the support of his business partner Ian MacKintosh and general manager Gareth Hughes, he revealed he wants to bring the university town’s nightlife, with only one other nightclub, back from the dead.

In an exclusive interview with the Border Telegraph this week, Mr Al-Khamis said: “I’m somebody who wants to put on nights that people will remember for the rest of their lives.

“I first came down for Galaween and it was an unbelievable experience, to see so many people put so much effort into a themed night. In Edinburgh it just doesn’t really happen like that and it dawned on me how much of a community feel there is here.

“I think that having two nightclubs in the one street will be great for the Borders. I really hope it reinvigorates the local night life and people do come into town perhaps a little bit earlier.” The venue has been stripped back to its bare naked best and given a complete overhaul, with bigger bars, more comfortable seating, and, on the previously closed off upper floor, new toilets.

A new sound and lighting system is also being installed ahead of its official opening on Saturday, September 13 - just in time for Freshers Week.

However, an “Old Skool” night is planned for the day before, Friday, September 12, to give revellers a sneak preview of the Borders newest nightclub.

Mr Al-Khamis said: “My focus from day one was to change the space entirely from what it was previously. Everything is different, the way you go into the venue is different, the bar is different.

“The building lends itself to the warehouse concept, there’s some massive steel beams which are an amazing feature to have out on display. Everything had been boxed in and there was no real character to the building.” And he added: “We have put in an island bar with 360 degree service which stops bottle necks and, beyond the bar, there’s a raised area with a passage walk way to allow free-flow through the venue.” Warehouse, which is creating up to 30 new jobs in the town, plans to open Thursday to Sunday until 3am.

And the new management team have vowed to play music which will appeal to revellers of all ages.

While Thursday night will remain Student Night, Retro Fridays will feature music from the 1960s to present day, and Saturdays will include more contemporary tunes, from house to hip-hop, and electronic dance music to RnB.

Mr Al-Khamis said: “There’s a lot of nice restaurants and bars in the Borders as a whole however, until now, we’re told there’s not a kind of end destination. In the feedback we received, people were telling us they’d like to go out with their partner for a drink and a dance but there didn’t seem to be anything that catered towards them.

“So our Friday nights will be going back to Old Skool, playing a range of music from the 60s, 70s, 80, 90s, and Noughties and making it fun and interactive. We think a night dedicated to that will go down well, rather than your all-singing, all-dancing house and electronic dance music There will be something for everyone.”