A NEW live music venue showcasing local talent and tribute bands is due to open in Kidderminster next year.

The site of the old Vault Bar in Oxford Street has been taken over by former DJ Massimo D'Oriano, from Kidderminster, and is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, ready to reopen as Dakota Lounge in March.

Massimo, 45, hopes to eventually open the venue four nights a week but plans to start by hosting tribute bands on a Friday and Saturday night.

In time, the new owner intends to put on local and up and coming bands on a Thursday night and possibly hold jazz and blues nights on a Sunday, with potential for open mic and comedy nights in the future.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Dakota Lounge is due to open at the old Vault Bar in Kidderminster in MarchDakota Lounge is due to open at the old Vault Bar in Kidderminster in March

Massimo told The Shuttle: "We're aiming to open Dakota Lounge in March or as soon as the restrictions allow us to do it properly.

"The venue is having a big refurb, which is ongoing - we've built a new stage, knocked the old bar out, we're installing sound and lighting soon - it's all having a makeover. It's a substantial investment."

Having worked as a DJ for 25 years, Massimo also headed his own sound and lighting company, worked in a recording studio, and previously ran a nightclub in Redditch.

He said: "I've always worked with live music, I love it. I'm done with DJing now and this is my next course of action."

Massimo says Kidderminster is calling out for its own live music venue and hopes Dakota Lounge will be a sell-out success once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

"There's definitely a market for a venue like this in Kidderminster," he said. "By the time Dakota Lounge opens, people won't have had a proper night out in a year.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Fred Zeppelin are among the first bands set to take to the Dakota Lounge stage in 2021Fred Zeppelin are among the first bands set to take to the Dakota Lounge stage in 2021

"There are lots of bands in Kidderminster - you would be amazed how many artists are out there - but they've got no where to play. There's the town hall but they have to wait for someone to put an event on.

"It's bound to take a good six months at least before we’re back to normality but I think after that, we’ll be packed."

Tickets have already started selling for live music nights scheduled for March and April 2021, including tribute acts Pure Queen, Duran, The Faux Fighters UK, The Smiths LTD and Fred Zeppelin.

For more information, visit dakotalounge.co.uk.