FOR decades the Corny Bin has been a rite of passage for people wanting a late night drink and a dance in Devizes but on Friday it is to be reborn as The Exchange night club after a £45,000 make-over.

Gone is the orange decoration to be replaced by a much more subtle black and grey colour scheme along with new seating, lighting and sound system.

The DJ booth and bar have also been transformed and the dance floor has undergone a major revamp as part of the project undertaken by All In One Catering, Devizes Town Council and Devizes Light And Sound.

Bar manager Ben Newport, who is employed by the catering company, said: "We are very excited about the new look. We have gone for a complete rebrand and given it a new identity. The bar has been completely ripped out and rebuilt and the infamous sticky carpet has been removed."

Club manager and promoter Ian Matthews said: "Older people in town will probably still think of it as the Corny Bin but hopefully the new name of The Exchange will make it sound like a night club."

Devizes Town Council direct services manager Sarah Williams said the club had to comply with a stringent licensing process. She said: "It is very tough but that is a good thing.

"We have security staff on the door and in the club itself and bags are searched on the way in. There is a female member of staff who can go into the women's toilets to check if necessary."

All three agreed that drugs have not been an issue at the venue and the club worked closely with the police to cut any anti social behaviour to a minimum.

Mr Newport said: "We have started giving bottles of water away at the end of the evening. This helps people to rehydrate but it also cuts down on noise out on the street. If people are drinking water they are not shouting. It has really made a difference."

Mayor Nigel Carter said: "The relationship between Devizes Town Council and All-in-one Catering is a good, well-established one and the operation of the Merchant Suite an important one in the council's portfolio.

"I am delighted that Devizes Light and Sound have been able to support the re-equipment of the suite and that other local businesses have also shared in the refurbishment.

"The whole project management has been much appreciated and I wish them outstanding success with the refreshed premises."

The club will be open every Saturday night until 2am and there will be themed nights about once a month on a Friday. On the last Friday of every month a disco for 11 to 15-year-olds will be held between 7pm and 9pm.

The launch night tomorrow will feature guest DJ Marco Farouk.