Dozens of venues, pubs and bars in Colchester have changed appearances, swapped owners, opened and closed through the years.
We have asked readers which venues they miss the most and if they had the chance to bring them back, would do anything for their revival.
Here's a list of six venues missed most by Colchester residents:
Piccolo Padre
One of the most missed venues is the Piccolo Padre.
The former live music space was located near the Hythe railway station and was the perfect place to make memories during the 80s and 90s.
Lizzy said: “An absolutely brilliant place to go; even on a Sunday night it was buzzing!”
Unfortunately, the club was closed, and the building was occupied by offices, and plans in 2008 suggested demolition to make way for new homes, yet the project was never taken on.
A fire in 2011 saw the building ablaze, sparking an investigation.
Andromeda Night Club
The member’s only nightclub was one of the very few locations dedicated to soul music.
It became the inspiration behind the song of the same name, “Andromeda”, by the virtual band Gorillaz, as Damon Albarn had very fond memories of his own time there.
Valentino’s
Vals, or Vallie’s, as it was known, was a popular haunt for many years, further away from the bustle of High Street.
Located in St Helen’s Street it added to the exclusivity of the club, with the laid-back and lounge-style feel.
After it rebranded in the 2010s, it became Colchester’s only weekly gay club but remained popular with regulars.
Colne Lodge
Another place on the list of venues which still has a place in many people’s hearts is the Colne Lodge, which used to be located in Crouch Street.
The bar in the city centre used to be the home of a unique cocktail bar, welcoming all, from punks to hippies.
Andi said: “I remember walking past Colne Lodge when I was a kid, thinking I can’t wait til I’m old enough to go in there, unfortunately, that never happened, I’d have loved to have gone in there.”
Oliver Twist/The Twist
The Twist, formerly located in Military Road, was a live music venue for 30 years before closing its doors in 2013.
Its rich history saw acts such as Buzzcocks, James Hunter, Chimaira and Snow Patrol.
After the closure, the building was transformed into offices.
Rollerworld
Thinking outside the box of bars and pubs, a venue Colchesterians would love to bring back is Rollerworld.
The skating rink at Moorside closed its doors in November 2022 after more than 30 years of fun and activities.
Gazette reader Rebecca said: “Rollerworld as that was for all ages and great for family fun, had my hen night there too was a fab night and lots of fun.
Richard added: “I miss my workout that didn’t seem like a workout, switching off from life when you get on the rink and listen to the music. It was bliss, I miss it a lot. "
The owners of the iconic location faced a huge rent increase from an annual rent of £100,000 to £250,000 but negotiations fell silent.
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