Luminar hires top Scots DJ to rebuild success

NIGHTCLUB operator Luminar has enlisted the help of Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and Swedish charter-topping dance act Basshunter to help it revive its struggling business.

The company - which owns the Liquid and Oceana chains - has signed up the performers to draw customers into its clubs, as admissions have tailed off in recent months.

The firm has also partnered with the Ministry of Sound dance label to attract clubbers.

Luminar's marketing moves follow a hefty pre-tax, pre-exceptionals loss of 35.7 million in the 26 weeks to 28 August, compared with a 1.5m profit at the half-year stage in 2009.

Like-for-like sales dropped by 20.2 per cent in the first half as hard-pressed clubbers stayed at home. But the group said it had seen a slight pick up in trade in the seven weeks to 14 October with like-for-like sales down 16.9 per cent.

The group also said its recently-launched student night, Fuzzy Logic, had been popular.