A DEFUNCT strip club could be set to reopen under new ownership.

Club World Limited has submitted an application to renew the sexual entertainment venue licence for Climax, in St Botolph’s Street, Colchester.

Such an application is made when a new owner takes on the premises in order to legally operate the licensed activities from the venue.

Top Drawer Entertainment, the owners of lapdancing club and late night bar Climax, appointed liquidators at the end of 2020 after running up debits of £68,650, with assets of just £4,850.

At the time, directors explained they chose to put the company into liquidation after being unable to pay a tax bill of £55,000.

Read more: Police 'exploring several lines of inquiry' after boy, 11, approached by men

The strip club had a controversial past and in 2012 residents campaigned for it to be closed down after it had to apply for a sexual entertainment venue licence under new legislation.

Colchester Council granted the licence, with the club changing its name from Heaven to Climax under new ownership.

Last year, Essex Feminist Collective said there was no place in society for a strip club, however Rebekah Wallace-Brown, 46, said times have moved on.

Gazette: Viewpoint - Rebekah Wallace-Brown, who founded sexual harassment campaign group Eye of Boudica Viewpoint - Rebekah Wallace-Brown, who founded sexual harassment campaign group Eye of Boudica

Rebekah, who lives in New Town, Colchester, and founded street and sexual harassment campaign group Eye of Boudica, says the venue could help to empower women.

She said: “If women are respected, looked after and have made their choice to work in a venue which is legal and has the correct safeguarding then this would certainly be OK for Colchester.

“When the club shut down previously some of the people who lost their job were single mums looking to make ends meet.

“I am in no place to judge someone else’s choices, I think it’s great and women can be empowered at a club like this. As long as it’s above board and there’s nothing disrespectful then why not?”

She added: “The idea it could be damaging to women is archaic. If a woman chooses to be an entertainer, a sex worker, a burlesque dancer, then it’s her choice and we should respect that.”

The Gazette was unable to contact Club World Limited.