A look inside one of Preston's most impressive buildings

And on the inside Fives nightspot is just as stunning - despite five years in mothballs.

The popular venue is due to re-open soon after Guild Hall owner Simon Rigby bought it from another local businessman, Edgar Wallace, last week.

But if former customers feared it may have lost some of its grandeur and sparkle since it was shut down in 2011, these photographs prove it is anything but dusty and delapidated.

“It’s still amazing inside,” said Simon as he looked around his latest property acquisition in the city. “It has been lovingly looked after by Edgar and his team.

“We could simply re-open the doors and get down to business if we wanted. Even though it’s been unused since 2011, you’d never know. Edgar has done a great job. The building is very dear to him and I’ve assured him it has gone to a good home.”