NIGHTCLUB owners Paul and Kathy Legg have decided to call time on their business after almost 10 years.

The couple, who run Paul's nightclub in Dorchester's Trinity Street, say the decision to close the club was taken because it was not 'fun' any more.

Mr Legg said: "We started the club as a fun thing to do, but it's just not fun any more and has become a lot of hard work.

"The industry has changed over that time, especially with more late licences. The clientele is just being spread too thinly and, with the possibility of 24-hour drinking, the problem is only going to get worse and drinkers are going to be spread still thinner. There's just not enough people to go around."

Mr Legg said that the club has been shut for a few weeks while the couple enjoyed their first break in many years.

Pressure

"We were having a break anyway. We have been there for nine years and it was the first break we have had in years. But we have enjoyed not having the pressure of opening so much that it's another reason why we have decided to call it a day."

Mr Legg - who during the Sixties and Seventies worked with a number of top bands - added: "We do have mixed feelings about going after all this time.

"We have made lots and lots of friends over the years and have been well supported and so to say thank you to all of them we are having one last night on October 30.

"We hope that all those who have supported the club over the years will come along to help us say farewell to it. We will miss it because we have been very happy here but we are looking forward to the last night," he said.

Mr Legg said that interest was already being shown for the club site, which he said could get a new lease of life as a bar.