Nightclub owners are re-opening as a gay venue after their Thanet premises was forced to close by financially crippling legislation changes.

The Pride of Ramsgate will open its doors tonight, Friday, emerging phoenix-like following the closure of Rainy’s in the town’s Turner Street.

It is being launched as a gay venue by Rainy’s bosses Rainy Cooper, her partner Karen Cooper and their friend and business partner Steve Miles.

They were disappointed at the demise of their club following a fight to survive the repercussions of licensing changes and the smoking ban, and Rainy is prepared to spearhead a campaign to fight for the rights of such venues.

She has made a rallying cry for other licencees to contact her if they are prepared to back it.

Ms Cooper said: “Ours is yet another licenced premises killed off by the new laws passed by our government.

“The smoking ban caused people to stay away in droves because there is no atmosphere in a venue when constant breaks to smoke mean there are more outside than in. It was the final straw.

“All licenced premises have been affected by this law which should have been down to freedom of choice.

“Next it will be no drinking outside the home and eventually there will be no social interaction in the UK.”

The trio had been striving to make Rainy’s a success since February 2004 when they took over what was The Winchester Club. They aimed to appeal across the community and staged themed nights with music to suit different audiences, ages and tastes.

Rainy Cooper said: “We have been fighting rumours for four years because people thought that as the club was owned by a gay couple, it was a gay place. In fact the only gay night was Monday.

“Now we are going to run it as a gay venue until it is sold. Straight people will be very welcome too.”

Planning permission has been granted to convert the premises into flats and a buyer is being sought.

Ms Cooper said: “We want to thank everyone for their custom over the past four years.”

The Pride of Ramsgate will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm and on Sundays from 7pm.