FRESH plans have been submitted to turn a former Chinese buffet in Colchester town centre into a place for live music and entertainment...after proposals to turn it into a sex entertainment venue were thrown out by the licensing committee.

Ian Saunders wanted to turn the old Embassy Suite, off Balkerne Hill, into Solo Summers, an adult cabaret venue in honour of his late wife, Solo Saunders.

He received planning permission to convert the premises, however the plans fell at the final hurdle when Colchester Council’s licensing committee turned down his bid for a sex entertainment venue licence following concerns from residents.

But Mr Saunders has returned with a fresh planning application for the premises, still to be called Solo Summers, hoping to turn it into a variety entertainment venue available for hire for private functions.

Read More >>> Sex entertainment venue plans approved for Embassy Suite

A planning report says the new venue would host live bands, DJs, comedy nights, cabaret, LGBTQ+ events, single’s and couple’s nights and family events.

The premises would also be available for hire for corporate events, Christmas parties, wedding receptions and available free of charge to voluntary groups.

Opening times have been revised from the previous plans, to between 8am and 12.30am from Sunday to Wednesday and 8am to 1am from Thursday to Saturday.

The report states: “The site was previously used as a variety entertainment and nightclub venue for approximately 25 to 30 years and was originally named the Embassy Suite.

“It was an iconic entertainment building in Colchester, which brought people together.

“It is Solo Summers Ltd’s intention to once again bring people together and once again retain the venue as an iconic entertainment building to serve the community.

“Solo Summers Ltd is highly sensitive to nearby residents and therefore the proposed opening and closing times will be reasonable to limit undue noise and disturbance.”

Alcohol will only be served at the premises until midnight to encourage people to leave responsibly.

The main stage on the first floor would be retained for performances with a large seating area with tables, a DJ booth, longue, kitchen and bar.

The ground floor will have a staff office, toilets, drinks cellar and more seating.

The report adds: “The site is unoccupied and has been for a period of time following the closure of the former Embassy Chinese Buffet restaurant.

“As part of Colchester Council policy they wish to promote new businesses to the town centre and ensure sites are not left empty.

“Crouch Street is an existing retail and entertainment area and the location for this application is one which fits the need for the council to bring back to life a large iconic structure in the town centre.”