Wikipedia

Pryzm Plymouth

Pryzm Plymouth was a chain nightclub located in Barbican Leisure Park in Plymouth, England.[3]

Pryzm Plymouth
Map
Former namesDestiny, Oceana
LocationPlymouth, England
Coordinates50°22′03″N 4°07′31″W / 50.3675°N 4.1254°W / 50.3675; -4.1254
OwnerRekom UK
TypeNightclub
Capacity2,400[1]
Opened1999 (1999)[2]
Closed1 January 2024
Website
pryzm.co.uk/plymouth

Background edit

Pryzm Plymouth was the largest nightclub in the city of Plymouth, with a maximum capacity of 2,400 people.[1] The club was split into 3 rooms - Vinyl, Curve, and Main Room.[4][5] The venue also hosted events such as boxing, prom fairs, Miss England,[5] and club nights for the University of Plymouth Students' Union.[6]

History edit

The nightclub first opened under the "Destiny" name in 1999. The venue was later rebranded to Oceana in 2009.[2] In August 2016, the club's then owners Deltic Group announced that Oceana would close and rebrand as Pryzm.[2]

In 2020, fears of the nightclub's closure arose after its owner Deltic Group was on the brink of administration,[7] the company blamed this on the lack of government support during the Coronavirus pandemic.[8][9] The company was later purchased by Rekom UK in January 2021 which kept the club open.[10]

In 2021, following concerns by students of drink spiking, the club confirmed that no confirmed cases had occurred there, they released a statement outlining their entry searches, and reassured students that staff were trained in drink spiking procedures.[11]

Pryzm Plymouth's parent company Rekom UK announced it would close on 1 January 2024,[12] blaming "tough trading conditions" as less students go out to clubs, and the club's location as the reason for the closure.[1][13] The clubs final opening night was on New Year's Eve 2023.[14][15]

Incidents edit

In 2017, two 19 year-olds from Okehampton died after being found unconscious during a Basshunter event in the venue.[16] Paramedics alerted police at approximately 1:40am,[17] and the venue was evacuated shortly after when police arrived,[18] their deaths were found to be caused by the drug MDMA,[19] commonly known as Ecstasy, which was purchased on the dark web.[20][21] A 19-year-old man was arrested and jailed for 14 months for supplying the drugs.[22][23] A number of other people who were in the group were found by paramedics on the same day and showed no signs of being unwell.[24]

In response to the incident, the nightclub sent their condolences to the families of the men who died[25] as well as releasing a statement addressing concerns of over-capacity, saying that the nightclub did not exceed its legal capacity during the event,[26] and said they were adding additional staff members to its front door.[27] Basshunter's team also released a statement, saying "Basshunter is devastated that what was a party atmosphere should end this way. He would like to offer his condolences at this very sad time".[28]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Telford, William (2023-12-04). "Pryzm closure blamed on student market meltdown". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  2. ^ a b c Timms, Katie (2023-12-10). "Lost Pryzm, Oceana and Destiny nights out as club set to close". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  3. ^ "PRYZM". Visit Plymouth. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  4. ^ "Pryzm". Made in Plymouth. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  5. ^ a b "Plymouth's Biggest Nightclub - PRYZM". wearehomesforstudents.com. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  6. ^ "QUIDS IN - The Beast (The Chase)". www.upsu.com. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  7. ^ Telford, William (2020-08-25). "Plymouth nightclubs in danger of 'closing for good' warns Pryzm". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  8. ^ "Coronavirus: Music stops for Deltic as nightclub group hunts buyer". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  9. ^ "Nightclub giant Deltic Group on brink of administration". www.shropshirestar.com. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  10. ^ "Rekom bought Deltic Group for £10m". The Caterer. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  11. ^ Watson, Eve (2021-10-21). "Plymouth club reassures partygoers after reports of spiking". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  12. ^ Merritt, Anita (2023-12-03). "Plymouth's biggest nightclub to shut". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  13. ^ morningadvertiser.co.uk (2023-12-07). "Rekom to shut city's largest nightclub". morningadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  14. ^ Telford, William (2023-12-24). "Pryzm shares details of final night party". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  15. ^ "NEW YEARS EVE 2024 - CLOSING PARTY tickets on Sunday 31 Dec | PRYZM Plymouth". FIXR. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  16. ^ "Two young Devon men die after 'taking drugs at Plymouth Pryzm nightclub'". BBC News. 2017-12-09. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  17. ^ O'Leary, Miles; Preston-Ellis, Rom (2017-12-10). "The terrifying moment that clubbers were evacuated from Pryzm". Devon Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  18. ^ Timms, Katie (2017-12-09). "Pryzm nightclub 'evacuated' after Basshunter's show - recap". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  19. ^ "Two teenagers die after 'taking MDMA' in Plymouth nightclub". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  20. ^ Geddes, Duncan (2023-12-26). "Two teenagers die after taking 'Ecstasy' at Pryzm nightclub in Plymouth". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  21. ^ "MDMA deaths: Basshunter gig was cleared". BBC News. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  22. ^ "Teen jailed over friends' Basshunter gig MDMA deaths". BBC News. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  23. ^ "Plymouth Pryzm deaths: Man admits drugs charges". BBC News. 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  24. ^ Association, Press (2017-12-09). "Two teenagers die at Pryzm club in Plymouth after taking drugs". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  25. ^ "Two clubbers, 19, die after taking suspected MDMA". ITV News. 2017-12-09. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  26. ^ O'Leary, Miles (2017-12-10). "Pryzm addresses concerns over capacity on night two teenagers died". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  27. ^ Timms, Katie (2017-12-09). "More staff on the doors at Pryzm tonight following death of teenagers". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  28. ^ Gamp, Joe (2017-12-10). "Basshunter 'devastated' after two teens die after 'taking MDMA' outside club". Metro. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
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