A LANDMARK building which was an entertainment “hotspot” for generations of teenagers is set to disappear.

Work has begun on the demolition of the old Sol Viva nightclub and should be completed by Christmas.

The cleared site on Rochdale Road will be developed into four restaurant-cafe units and a covered walkway.

A spokesman for Heywood-based PGC Demolition Ltd, said asbestos had already been removed.

While many have welcomed the move to reduce the former nightspot and cinema to rubble, others have fond memories of the building.

The building was home to an Odeon cinema from 1936 until 1981, later becoming The Arena roller skating rink and subsequently The Roxy and Sol Viva nightclubs. It was a well-known entertainment venue for thousands of people over the years before it closed in 2010.

Last year, Thornfield Properties (Bury) Ltd got permission to demolish the building. The restaurant-cafe units could create up to 86 jobs. The firm hopes the units will be occupied by national chain restaurants not represented in the town centre.