Selby clubbers will be able to dance into the future after the owners of a town centre nightclub secured a 21-year lease on the venue.

Tony Sambridge, who runs Jems Nightclub, in Ousegate, made the announcement despite rumours circulating last week that the nightspot was due to close.

The club is one of only two venues in Selby with a late licence, and the news should be welcomed by clubbers and landlords alike.

Tony, 43, said: "We've been at the club for two-and-a-half years and have spent a substantial amount of money up until now, investing in a new sound and lighting system. We recently spent £8,000 on new toilets.

"But as the existing contract only had three-and-a-half years left, it wasn't worth investing any more money in the place.

"We spoke to the property owners and they agreed to extend the lease by a further 21 years until 2028."

Tony will now invest almost £100,000 in the venue, including new disabled facilities to comply with legislation which comes into effect next October.

"There have been a lot of sour grapes from some places in town who think we are stealing their trade, but I believe the majority of licensees are behind us.

"They find they are busy on nights when we are open because people don't go off into York.

"It's keeping money in Selby and offering local people a cheap night out."

The club, which has a capacity of more than 350 and offers two rooms of music, is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

"The age range quite often spans three generations, especially on Saturdays," said Tony.

"It's a great atmosphere and we have a cracking relationship with the police. We operate a strict zero tolerance drugs policy."

Tony runs the club with his wife, Julie, 38. The couple live in Monk Fryston with their 11-year-old twin daughters, who already have their sights set on taking over the family business in the future.

Tony started working in the nightclub industry when he was 16 as an employee of Peter Stringfellow at Ritzy's, in Leeds.

He says the new lease will allow him to carrying on working in the industry until his retirement.

Updated: 12:52 Tuesday, June 03, 2003