Noir Bar: Seeing the damage for the first time...

Then I noticed the stairs, in soot-covered plaster and dust.

I nervously climbed them with Paul Benwith (aka DJ Pablo) marketing director of the club, who was also seeing the damage for the first time.

What was to greet us came as a shock to say the least. The sun was beating down in the hallway where big chunks of the roof were missing, and there was mess everywhere.

Although this wasn't anything of mine - I don't own the club - it is a little part of me and this made my heart sink.

My girly friends and I, often go to the club at the weekends and not so long ago I held my 27th birthday party there.

It's a great place to go to meet your friends and have a dance into the small hours.
Now what are we going to do?

Although the main dancefloor area was saved as firefighters contained the flames to the kitchen area, which was badly hit by the blaze, the saddest thing for me was seeing the glitter balls melted and smashed in the middle of the dance floor.

I wanted to cry but felt that was a little bit too emotional, even for me!

It was gutting to see the hard work of the owners, managers and staff in recent weeks torn apart in little less than a few hours. It will take a little more than a few cleaners to get this sorted.

This is a local business not a national chain so everything is down to the hard work of the owners who really wanted to make a refreshing new start for the club, formerly known as Abaya.

I hope residents and regulars will be behind me when I say I cannot wait for the relaunch all over again.

From Noir ashes to Rising Pheonix - lets hope it doesn't take too long.