Chris Mcturk is a 28-year-old owner of 2 successful Coventry businesses. In 2019, Chris took over a family fire protection business, DRFS Central Ltd, which operates nationwide testing and maintaining fire protection equipment. Wanting to venture into hospitality in 2021, Chris purchased a lease for the former Scholars Nightclub in Coventry, which he rebranded into the 147 Nightclub.
After spending the first year upgrading, renovating and rebranding, 147 Nightclub has turned out to be a huge success in its first three years of operation. It has quickly become one of the most popular late venues in the city, with customers travelling from various places in the Midlands for their night out.
Chris was a guest speaker at the February 2024 Coventry & Warwickshire Champions Next Generation and, in this blog, he reflects on his journey as an entrepreneur, the lessons he’s learned, and how he’s shaping Coventry’s nightlife and business landscape.
“Working in the nightlife and hospitality industries has been a passion of mine since I turned 18. While I have always enjoyed running DRFS Central Ltd, opening a bar was my dream. When I saw that Scholars Nightclub was up for sale, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I now run both businesses simultaneously, and I’m very happy with the decision I made.
Rebranding Scholars Nightclub into 147 Nightclub came with its challenges. The biggest challenge was taking an established venue and transforming it into a more modern hotspot. When I bought the club, it was a little dated. I had to invest substantial time and money into upgrading facilities and equipment. This involved doing lots of research into lighting, sound systems, bar equipment, etc, and buying what I felt was right to move the venue in the right direction. I also had to manage keeping old customers happy whilst attracting a new, younger crowd to the business. Getting the music and clientele right was key but not always easy.
I work very hard and put in long hours, but this has already started to pay off. I have now employed extra staff for DRFS to help me with the workload of running both businesses simultaneously. Running DRFS has taught me skills like budgeting, planning, and keeping the right supplies, while the nightclub has developed my people management skills. DRFS only employs four people, whereas 147 Nightclub employs 15-20. It is key to learn how different staff members react differently to alternative management styles; there is no one size fits all. Another huge skill to maintain the success of 147 Nightclub is marketing, as the style I have to use at the nightclub is different to marketing techniques utilised for DRFS.
The success of 147 Nightclub has come down to a wide range of changes I have made. There are lots of cogs in play including getting the right staff for the job, keeping people safe with the best security team, playing the right music to keep on trend. Lastly, I like to keep on top of upgrading the club regularly; constant small changes keep people excited to come back and spreads word of mouth. I believe that once people start to get bored of a nightlife venue, it is already too late to change their minds.
Sustainability is also very important to me. We recently installed a £50,000 solar panel and battery system at the venue, making us the first nightclub of its kind in the UK. The project not only benefits us financially with reduced energy bills, but it also aligns with my sustainability goals. I always wanted to be known as a sustainable business as climate change and net zero goals are a huge personal priority for me.
Connecting with the community is another focus at 147 Nightclub. I persuaded Mini Ravers, a successful nationwide event company, to operate at our venue, hosting Sunday afternoon discos for parents and children. The event is well loved and provides a very unique experience for both the parents and the children that attend. I like to think of the club as a community staple, so I like to host events which cater to diverse audiences. We also run an event in partnership with the charity Love 4 Life who host an event with us designed for people in the area with autism and other learning disabilities.
Looking ahead, people can look forward to many more events, including our first ever New Year’s Eve party. More famous DJs and guest appearances are on the way. They can also expect more changes happening such as new a dj booth, a new bar, and updates to the garden area.
Being involved with Coventry & Warwickshire Champions has been great for both my businesses and personal development. Learning from impressive speakers at the events and networking with other likeminded business guests makes the involvement well worth it. I have met lots of great contacts at the events, which can be mutually beneficial both personally and in a business environment.
Speaking at the Coventry & Warwickshire Champions Next Generation event was a little nerve wracking to begin with, but it turned out to be a really positive and comfortable experience. It significantly improved my confidence and public speaking skills, opening doors to further opportunities like speaking on stage at the West Midlands Business Growth event in Birmingham, speaking on a decarbonisation webinar, and an upcoming podcast appearance.
The success of 147 Nightclub has significant potential to contribute to the economic growth of Coventry and Warwickshire. The club attracts visitors from nearby cities like Birmingham, Leicester, Solihull, Leamington Spa and Warwick, particularly for larger events. Some of these guests will contribute towards the Coventry economy by eating out and booking hotels for their visit.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, my advice is simple: go for it. There is no perfect time to start and if you have the mindset that everything must be in place before you launch, that time will never come. You’ll make mistakes and may not be profitable right away - I wasn’t for two years - but those early challenges are crucial for learning about your business and yourself. Every mistake is a key learning point, without that mistake you wouldn’t have obtained the knowledge of overcoming it.
I found the key to innovating and growing the businesses has been networking with people. It’s common for good ideas to come from places you didn’t expect. Speaking with as many people as possible has helped me personally, as well as in the business world. In the nightlife industry especially, listening to customer feedback and acting on it is an essential skill to ensure success.”