A NIGHTCLUB sign, described as blasphemous and insensitive, has been taken down after six years.

Mission nightclub, whose logo featured a cross design and invited revellers to attend its own Sunday Service, has been given a whole new identity.

Now known as Studio, the club has a new management determined to put Mission's controversial past behind it.

The club reopened yesterday and became the first link of a national chain, owned and operated by local company Entertainment and Leisure Services (Swindon).

Operations director Biagio Vitale said: "I look forward to working closely with the local community and the police.

"A lot of money is being spent on Studio for a start. Mission had become quite run down and we've completely changed things.

"The new unit will form the corporate identity of the company, which will be carried on to our venue in Chester and will continue with other future acquisitions."

When Mission opened in 1998 in Hoopers Place, Old Town, church groups and ecumenical parish leaders wrote to the owners accusing them of belittling the sign of the cross and what it stood for.

Swindon Council then refused listed building consent for the illuminated signs, although this was later overturned on appeal.

Mr Vitale says he is keen to keep everyone happy and is convinced Studio will become one of the region's leading nightspots.

Around £300,000 has been ploughed into the new club, while a further £300,000 is also being spent on adjacent outbuildings, which will be turned into a feeder bar/brasserie.

Unlike Mission, Studio will have a VIP lounge and a jazz room, as well as a new dance floor and new sound and light systems and will be aimed at people aged between 21 to 45 years.

The bar/brasserie, which it is hoped will open in June, will serve food all day and will have a first floor champagne bar.

Mr Vitale said: "The licensing laws are changing very rapidly and we need to change with them. It is a challenge that I am looking forward to."

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con Old Town and Lawn) said: "I am pleased to see that the management has decided to undertake a re-branding of the club. Many people who are actively religious found the signs offensive and still do and I was still receiving comments about the signs very recently."

Gwenda Barnes, secretary of the Pipers Area Residents' Association, shared Coun Bawden's sentiments.

She said: "The logo was supposed to be a broadsword but from a distance it looked like a cross and caused much offence to local residents so I am very pleased that it has been taken down."

As well as venues in Swindon and Chester, ELS owns a club in Torquay, while Mr Vitale personally owns The Rock Club in Cirencester.