Colchester nightclub in St Helen's Lane to become apartments

The site in St Helen’s Lane, in the Dutch Quarter, has been home to many clubs and businesses over the years, including a soul music venue.

Now plans have been submitted to Colchester Council requesting permission to create five one-bedroom apartments.

The property has traded as a nightclub since the 1960s and publicly closed in 2015, before it reopened for a period in 2021.

It had operated as a nightclub since the 1960s, and was once Andromeda, one of the very few locations dedicated to soul music and the inspiration behind the Gorillaz song of the same name, as Damon Albarn had very fond memories of his time there.

Albarn, who grew up in Aldham and went to Stanway school, rose to fame as part of Blur. Picture: Ian West/PA

The site also became Club Valentino, opened by Paul Jackson and Daniel Cox, and in the early 2000s it was Club Karma, which former bosses Kevin Holbrook and Willian Brydon took over in 2008.

What became known as ‘Vallies’ had a laid-back, lounge-style feel and became known as Colchester’s only weekly gay club.

The site later became the Ice nightclub venue, which closed in 2015.

History - the site in was once Club Valentino (Image: Google) (Image: Google)

It remained vacant for a number of years despite rumours to become an entertainment venue just a few years ago, which would have offered gigs, comedy, burlesque and more.

The site was auctioned off by property consultants Dedman Gray in April.  

The planning document said: "At the time of application submission there is no live premises licence for the night club.

"The night club operated to a capacity of 195 people.

"The property was purchased by the applicant in 2024 with a view to changing the use to residential."

With no existing car parking, the plans say the apartments are set to be car free.

The report said: "With bus stops to the adjacent High Street, two rail stations within walking distance, public hire E-bikes and E-scooters in addition to city centre amenities being on hand; the proposed residential use can successfully operate without private parking provision."

The apartments will be targeted at the entry level buyer.

Colchester Council will have the final say.