New venue hopes to breathe new life into the Marina

A nightspot has has a new future at Hartlepool Marina after a £500,000 investment.
Lucifer SamsLucifer Sams
Lucifer Sams

Lucifer Sam’s has taken over the former Jack Rabbit Slims diner at Navigation Point which ceased trading in January.

After four months of renovations, the new bar and grill venue opened for business this weekend and is hoping to breathe new life into the area.

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Owners Spider Leisure Limited have also taken over the adjacent Vibes venue which they will be refurbishing.

Emily Vaughan, a spokeswoman for the management team, said: “It looks completely different to Jack Rabbit and doesn’t have an American theme any more. 
“It’s got bare brick walls and jam jar lighting now, it has more of a rustic vibe.

“We’ll be open from Friday night for drinks with food being served from next weekend and we’re still recruiting chefs and waiting staff.”

She added: “Vibes is already open with changes being made on the restaurant side in the coming weeks.

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“It will be renamed as Geography. The bars down here are classy and we’d really like to attract more people to the site.”

Jack Rabbit Slims closed after just 18 months, citing car parking charges for keeping people away from the area.

The former owner said parking charges introduced in 2010 were putting people off from visiting the parade which is home to a number of bars and restaurants.