One of the widest caves in Nottingham has been turned into a unique party destination. The dark cavern is deep below the Whistle & Flute, a former menswear shop, in Derby Road, that was transformed into a pub earlier this year.
An immense amount of effort has gone into making the cave safe for public use. In the 1990s it suffered a significant rock fall so major structural work has been carried out.
A 1.5 ton cast iron boiler has been removed, 20 tons of concrete have been laid to level the uneven surface, a ventilation system and emergency lighting have been installed and a safe access route and emergency exit are in place - along with a whole heap of paperwork. Flowers and the pink glow of neon lighting help to 'soften' the surroundings and there's tables and chairs for 60 - the maximum capacity allowed down there.
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The sprawling cavern extends from beneath the pub to under the road in Wollaton Street. The cave is licensed and has its own bar selling Mahou lager, Orchard Pig cider, Camden Town ales and Corona on tap but drinkers are free to use the main bar which has a different offering. Cocktails and shots will also be on sale in the underground haunt.
The unusual space will be used for events including live music, parties and even wedding receptions. The first event is on Saturday, October 1. The all-day fun with soul and funk DJs in the bar will move underground in the evening for a private event that's already a sell-out.
To mark Armistice Day in November a 1940's singer will be performing in the cave where the acoustics are likely to be amazing. Bookings are being taken for Christmas parties - while the dimly lit surroundings would make a perfect spooky setting for a Halloween party.
"It's something different, a bit unique," said bar owner Jason Norton. "To start with it will be open for private functions and our own events. Depending on the uptake of it and how popular it is we will consider putting staff on for people to use it all the time.
"When I took on this building to do the pub upstairs I knew the cave was there and it was always an intention to go down there so I feel extremely lucky. Nottingham city is full of caves - there's a lot of city venues that have made use of caves. I'm not aware of any that's got the same kind of space to be able to utilise it as a entire party space and even a wedding reception."
As well as DJs and live music, Jason is thinking of putting a projector down there for karaoke, taking advantage of the cave's natural sound-proofing. "The noise won't disturb anyone. It's quite deep underground and the walls are solid sandstone so you don't hear any noise from there. It's a good seven to ten metres below the surface," he said.
Because darts has been popular in the bar,. a dart board might well be added down in the cave. Jason has tried to research the cave's history. "I think they used to make the wheels for horses and carts down there. It's been left there derelict for a long time.
"I can't think of anywhere in the city like there. There's a lot of function rooms and spaces but nothing as impressive as that - people will be talking about that after the event I'm sure. The ones I've seen tend to be a lot more intimate and smaller whereas here there's a big open space to get everyone together."
Nottingham cave expert Scott Lomax said: "I do know the cave well as I have been closely involved in its conservation in the past. It is one of the widest caves in the city which has resulted in structural problems in the past."
The resident archaeologist for Nottingham City Council added: "I am always very keen for caves to be brought back into use, and frequently work with cave owners to help make this possible. It is important that caves are brought back into use where it is safe to do so and where the use of the caves does not cause harm to the cave. I have always said that the best way to protect caves is to make use of them but sometimes a lot of work is needed to make sure caves are safe to be used."
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