The Limelight Club

The structure that eventually became known as the Limelight originally served as a church in 1869, complete with an adjoining church hall. By the time it transformed into the Limelight, the church had long ceased operations, having briefly functioned as a snooker club before it too fell into disuse and the building was left abandoned. A local promoter, who was already hosting rock events in the area, discovered the neglected church-turned-snooker hall while searching for a larger venue. All the pubs he had considered were simply inadequate in size, but upon finding the dilapidated building, he envisioned it as the future hub for live music in the town and set out to acquire it. After about eight months of renovations, with help from dedicated volunteers who were passionate about establishing a permanent rock venue, the transformation was complete.

The main church area was converted into a bar and concert hall, while the adjacent building became a rock café. The Limelight opened its doors in 1994 and quickly became a sensation, drawing bands from across the nation and massive crowds, leading to expansions to accommodate the influx of fans. However, the venue's decline began in 2007 when the owner chose to sell and pursue a life on a narrowboat. Despite its previous success, the stress of managing the venue for so long had taken its toll. The club closed shortly thereafter and soon fell into disrepair.