Despite the shock closure of Vanilla nightclub in Truro, it’s not all doom and gloom in the city with news that two new bars are opening in the same street as the club.

The 400-capacity club, which opened in 2008, suddenly shut its doors on Monday. Members of the licensing trade in Truro told Cornwall Live that it had come as a total surprise with no inkling of Vanilla closing among staff and customers.

We have heard rumours that the business has been sold and may still operate as a nightclub but have currently been unable to verify this.

However, there is hope for Truro’s nightlife with two new businesses opening yards from Vanilla.

Cornish chain Bear Bar & Kitchen – which already has branches in St Agnes and Newquay – is bringing its mix of gourmet burgers, posh kebabs, craft beer, cocktails and artisan spirits to the former Kazbah site in Quay Street, opposite Vanilla.

Vanilla in Truro
Bear Bar & Kitchen is based right opposite Vanilla, which closed this week

It has a soft opening from 5pm on Wednesday, November 14, and will officially open on Friday.

Owner Craig Burnett said: “The Bear Bar in St Agnes, at the Peterville, has a traditional pub feel. The Truro one will have more of a cosmopolitan, city bar design and atmosphere.”

He’s aiming for a slightly older clientele, who want to sit down, chat and have a laugh with friends. There won’t be gaming machines, a jukebox or many of the distractions featured in other bars. However, there will be music – piano sessions on Wednesday evenings and at Sunday lunchtime, with DJ sessions on Friday and Saturday.

“Our philosophy is that all pubs should be all-inclusive and that goes for our food too. Our ethos is you can ‘eat like a bear’, which means you get a lot of food, done with finesse and at reasonable prices,” added Craig.

The Bear Bar & Kitchen will offer the people of Truro all of this
The Bear Bar & Kitchen will offer the people of Truro all of this

Bear Bar & Kitchen is also opening in Wadebridge and the plan is to have six venues within the next 12 months, with its own distribution centre on Pool Industrial Estate.

Another new bar will open in the next few weeks just around the corner from the Bear Bar and at the opposite end of the road from Vanilla.

Roccos in New Bridge Street will be a dedicated gin bar – stocking up to 250 gins – with an upstairs club bar and dancefloor dedicated to music from the 1980s, ’90s and early Noughties. It is situated in the building formerly occupied by LGBT+ bar Déjà Vu.

It is due to open around Christmas and is the brainchild of friends Luke Earnshaw, who runs a plumbing and heating business, and builder Lee Denton.

Roccos will open before the end of the year
Roccos will open before the end of the year

Luke said: “We had a bit of a drunken conversation one night about how it would be our dream to open a bar and it’s actually happened.

"We definitely think we’re offering something different for Truro – there’s no other gin bar in the city. There will be San Miguel and Heineken on tap and a selection of ciders, but it’s predominantly about gin and gin cocktails.

“We are well aware of the risks of opening a bar but we both believe it will work.”

The venue will have a rustic, retro feel with wood and copper décor and will offer music for a slightly older crowd.

Luke added: “Both Lee and I are in our 30s and we find that sometimes when you go out in Truro you’re surrounded by kids.

“A lot of people in their 40s and 50s want to go out in Truro but are often put off because of the younger crowd – several people have mentioned how much they miss Chicago Rock Café in the city. We hope to offer something similar.”