within the space of the week, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

A "death notice'' appeared in yesterday's edition of the daily paper signalling the end of Studio 55 Night Club at The Stables, on Reid Street Extension.

But Studio 55 co-owner John Kiernan stressed: "We are not closing. We started up 19 months ago and we have done very well. We are not hurting and we don't owe people. We are in the black.'' Instead the operation is being reinvented in a bid to become more competitive and to discourage some unruly clientele, said the 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry.

A private party heralding the new club's grand opening is slated for March 23.

"The only way to change something, is to close and then reopen as something else,'' said Mr. Kiernan. The new club will feature a new name, new extended opening hours and will not be a disco but further details will not be unveiled until opening night, he said.

But the business is not being revamped because it is in trouble, he added.

"We were getting a little jaded with the whole thing and wanted to do something else,'' said Mr. Kiernan. The club had begun attracting a young unruly crowd and staff were getting "tired of dealing with -- 20-year-old punks'', he said. "Now I am not saying that all 20-year-olds are like this,'' continued Mr. Kiernan, "but what really bugs me is that during the day you see them with good jobs and wearing a coat and tie then they come here at night in their hip-hop clothes and they want to be the bad guy.'' The new club will be after an older clientele -- "a lot more 25 and up people'', said Mr.

Kiernan, who noted: "I get a lot of people saying `there's nothing but kids out'.'' There is also a newfound proliferation of night spots open late in Hamilton, he pointed out, and they will be competing for almost identical business.

Joining longtime night spots such as Spinning Wheel and Oasis Club are comparative new comers Club 40, Docksiders Pub and Restaurant (which now features a nightclub-style back room) and the soon-to-be reopened Pier Six and Escape venues.

Club faces big revamp "This year we sat down and thought about it. We looked at the whole picture and realised that all of a sudden we have got a lot more competition in the same field than we had before,'' said Mr. Kiernan.

"So we will try the new format and see how it goes. If it doesn't work we will go back to being a disco.'' The advertisement, which was also set to run today, stated: "R.I.P. Notice.

We regret to announce the death of our dear departed friend. Studio 55 Night Club. Many thanks to our loyal patrons for their support over the past 19 months.

"Farewell to the sounds of Rap, Hip Hop. Reggae Urban Sounds & Street Beats etc. Good Bye to Two-For-Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday & All Other Great Theme Nights.

"Survived by the Empty Bottles, Glasses & the Lingering Sounds & Memories of Great Parties. R.I.P. Thanx.''