IT WAS once loved for its ‘spin the wheel’ nights and 99p entry fee, but the treasured Sol Viva nightclub will soon be a thing of the past.

For the bulldozers are set to demolish the iconic Bury town centre building to make way for a new development.

Some have welcomed the move as good for Bury’s economy, but revellers who used to flock to Sol Viva to party hard at weekends have called for it to reopen.

The building, which is at the end of the old Rock and faces the new Rock shopping and leisure complex, was an Odeon Cinema from 1936 to 1981 and was then The Arena roller skating rink.

It then underwent another facelift and relaunched as a 1,500-capacity Roxy nightclub, later renamed Sol Viva.

The club was prosperous as recently as 2007 when it was refurbished.

But the financial downturn hit the takings hard and it closed in 2010 before being snapped up by Thornfield Properties, the firm which spearheaded The Rock development.

Last November, Thornfield got Bury Council’s permission to demolish the building and build four units for restaurants in its place, as well as a covered walkway.

This week, the council approved a road closure order, which limits vehicle movementbetween ClareStreet and South Back Rock in Bury.

The notice reads: “The reason for the proposed order is to facilitate demolition works of the former Sol Viva nightclub building.”

The order comes into force on Bank Holiday Monday and lasts for six months, though the work should take 17 weeks.

Thornfield’s agents, GVA, said: “The site is the final underdeveloped building that forms part of The Rock leisure scheme and will complete the links between The Rock and the wider town centre.

“As well as improving those links, improving the restaurant and evening economy offer will strengthen the town centre as a whole as a family-orientated retail and leisure destination.”

On Twitter this week, Sol Viva fans have been recalling their favourite Sol Viva memories.

Kelly Morton said: “Who could forget the sticky carpet?”

“I wish we could have one last night of spin the wheel,” said Jimmy Warburton, in reference to a game where the bar would run a drinks promotion depending on where the wheel stopped.

Beth Rowlands said: “I’m devastated that it’s getting demolished. Sol made me the girl I am today.”

Sarah Kiernan said: “I’m gutted. They should rebuild it.”