Luminar sets sights on “divorced, single and dumped” market

Nightclub operator Luminar is seeking to attract a more mature, solvent clientele in order to boost business during the recession.

Chief executive Stephen Thomas announced plans to focus on the expanding “divorced, single and dumped” market to lessen Luminar’s reliance on the 18-24-year-old market.

“At the moment, 82% of our business is 18-24 and we are not happy about that,” said Thomas in an interview with the Times. “I would like to see that down to 60% in three years and 25% of group revenue to come from an age group well in advance of that,” he added.

The group has also started under-18 events on quieter nights and Thomas is in talks with the online dating site Chemistry to host dating events at his clubs.

“There are 15 million people dating online…there must be something we can physically do to get these people together,” he added.

In July the operator of brands such as Liquid and Oceana raised £36m from share issues in order to take advantage of falling property prices and expand its portfolio across the country.

Around £16m was allocated for Oceana clubs in Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Reading, another £16m was allocated for Liquid clubs and a further £3m was used to expand existing sites.


Luminar plans to raise £35.7m for expansion >>

Luminar Group sells 26 bars to Cavendish >>

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By Emma White

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