After months of work and £3.2million investment, a former bingo hall on Spencer Street opens as The Assembly on August 29.

Owner Nigel Dalley has restored the elegant stone building to its original Edwardian glory and employed designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to create a unique interior.

Leamington lad John Ridgard, 27, is the venue's booker and decided that the outspoken Rollins's spoken word show would be a good opening act.

He said: "He's a bit of an icon and we thought it would be awesome to have this really well-known guy to open the venue."

Rollins was a punk rock singer with cult act Black Flag and has presented numerous radio shows, such as The Henry Rollins Show and Harmony In My Head, as well as MTV's 120 Minutes and Jackass.

A host of other "big artists" are lined up to perform, but have yet to be confirmed. Mr Ridgard added: "It's almost ready, there are just a few things left to do.

"If it is finished before August 29 we might put on a bands night."

The venue has two bars - one with a rubber floor and light-box pictures on the wall. It promises to be an "intense" experience, says Mr Ridgard.

Another bar in the gallery overlooks the main hall.

Bands who play The Assembly will get to hang out in the 'artists' area which contains an extravagant pink caravan once owned by country singer Tammy Wynette, pool tables, a plastic ostrich and a deactivated Gatling gun.

Mr Ridgard added: "It's going to be really exciting. Because we are a big venue, but not in London, we can't just specialise in one thing so will have bands, comedy, rock and pop and a really good student night."

This week a 1950s-style American diner called Dockers opened on the ground floor of the building.

With a large Route 66 mural on the wall and original juke box and seating, manager Helen Wild hopes it will prove popular and bring something different to the town.

She said: "It's just something which has always appealed to me and I thought I'd give it a go. The response has been really positive so far and people are saying it's what Leamington needed."

The Assembly was due to open on June 21 with a charity band night in memory of the former Leamington drummer Paul Brooks.

This event has been postponed and a new date will be announced shortly.

www.leamingtonassembly.com

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