A FORMER bar could be turned into a 24/7 taxi booking office, as there is “not enough interest” in opening another club.

Shot bar Straws, in Osborne Street, Colchester, has been closed for a year.

CPS Architecture and Design Limited has been called in by the applicant to make use of the building, turning it into a taxi booking office.

The report in the change of use application says: “The site at present is unoccupied and has been for a prolonged period with no interested party on the site for a drink establishment.

“The proposed use of the site will be for a communications command and waiting area for a private hire taxi company.

“The proposed unit will be operation 24 hours and seven days a week throughout the year, as is common with businesses of this nature.”

There will be two full-time staff on site at any one time with alternating shift change over patterns.

The applicants said it would not cause a nuisance for residents.

The report said they will be no cars waiting outside on the road and customers will be able to wait in the office until a taxi becomes available.

The plans will go before Colchester Council’s planning committee.