A BAR and nightclub is set to transport punters back in time when it opens next month.

Retro-themed Rubix Bar, in Crouch Street, will be set up in the former Waikiki bar.

The venue will offer Eighties party nights every week and on the top floor will hold Seventies disco nights on Fridays and Nineties events on Saturdays.

The bar will launch with a special Eighties VIP opening party on Friday, May 24.

Rubix is the brainchild of events manager and radio DJ Jeremy Durrant.

Mr Durrant, 45, from Colchester, said: “It is something different and something quite exciting for the town.

“There is nothing that caters for that in town. It is complete escapism for people.”

The venue will have a retro sweet shop, novelty cocktails and a big video screen.

Visitors will also be invited to don their best fancy dress for each era.

The idea for Rubix, named after the iconic Eighties toy, came after Mr Durrant’s Wakes Colne-based company Main Stage UK was asked to put on more retro themed events.

Mr Durrant said he hoped the bar would “breathe life” into the Crouch Street area of town.

He said: “Most people in town are in their teens or twenties.

“We are offering something for 21 years upwards to be able to get away from the usual.

“We are offering something a bit classy for the slightly older clientele.

“We don’t want to knock other venues but we are offering complete escapism from mortgages and Brexit.

“It feels like it is the right time and it will bring more of an offering to that part of town.

“It will encourage more people to come out be it as a couple or for a celebration.”

Work is underway to bring about Mr Durrant’s vision for a “retro revolution” at the building.

He said: “It was all full of bamboo and Caribbean party stuff - we have stripped all that out.

“We got the keys last week and have got the builders in now.”

Visit rubixbar.com.