Trainspotting 2 nightclub Cav to undergo huge revamp

Extras queue outside Cav ahead of T2 filming. Pic: Ian Georgeson

Cav, in Tollcross, will be transformed into ATIK with former JLS singer Martin Hume to guest DJ at the opening night on June 24.

The club, which was used for the dance floor flashback to the Trainspotting cast in their youth, is undergoing a £450,000 facelift which will create 40 new jobs.

In the movie, characters Simon and Renton head to Cav for a night out.

The partying is cut short when Begbie, played by Robert Carlyle, finds his arch-enemy hiding in the toilet.

And it is these toilets, which were plastered across billboards around the world as the official poster for the Trainspotting sequel, that will now be ditched and modernised to fit with the new look of the rest of the venue.

General manager Mark Cameron said: “Cav has played a huge part of the city’s nightlife and culture for a long time and many people have happy memories of fun times here but it’s time to close the doors as Cav and bring something new to Edinburgh.

“We’re really looking forward to transforming the place, including our infamous T2 toilets, and reopening as ATIK. In the meantime, it will be business as usual at Cav, while work goes on behind the scenes.

“We know the place is iconic and generations of clubbers have visited the venue over the years and many hold it close to their heart and we have no intention of losing this.”

Owners Deltic Group, previously Luminar, have run Cav for 20 years ago. And the venue has provided a space for late-night revellers over the last six decades.

Originally opening as “The New Cavendish” dancehall in the 1940s it has been through a spiral of name changes including Clouds, Coasters, Outer Limits, The Hoochie, Mamo and The Network before returning to the original Cavendish in 1991.

In September 2002 the venue underwent a £2 million refurbishment and reopened as ‘Cavendish & Diva’ until December 2004, and with a brief four months time out, the club launched as ‘Lava Ignite’ in April 2005 drawing acts such as Calvin Harris, Example and Basshunter.

Another half a million pound refurbishment in 2012 saw ‘Lava Ignite’ adopt Cav – the name synonymous with the venue.

Clubbers will still be able to enjoy three themed rooms – ATIK, Vinyl and Curve – all catering to different music tastes from Friday to Sunday. And fans of the trademark flashing dance floor will not be disappointed as the feature will remain as part of the retro themed “Vinyl” upstairs. The club is recruiting for 40 new full and part-time positions, from bar staff to hospitality and sales assistants.

“We are looking for people who enjoy life, have a positive attitude and want to be part of our great new venture. Look out for details on social media,” added Mark.

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