The Hippodrome nightclub in Colchester will be serving its last drink next month.

After years as one of the High Street's best-known landmarks, the huge pink sign is being pulled down.<BR The nightclub changed hands last year and new owner Steve Peri has decided to scrap the historic name as part of a total facelift for the popular venue.

The new name will be Zeus 2000. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being poured into a total refit of the venue, and it will be closed to the public for four weeks while the work is carried out.

Mr Peri said: "The Hippodrome name has gone to its grave. The whole place needs an image change."

He added: "It will be a complete new look for the millennium. We're changing all the decoration, putting in podiums, a new DJ console and a VIP bar for starters."

A new laser system alone for the club will run up a bill of £55,000. The venue is shutting on April 10 for the builders and decorators to move in, and the new look will be revealed to curious clubbers at a celebrity-packed re-opening.

Mr Peri bought the Hippodrome after creating the popular Zeus nightclub in Rainsford Road, Chelmsford.

He has now handed over the reins of that club to a new manager and has moved on to Colchester venue.

"The town needs a good club, and I want to create something that will take us well into the next millennium," said Mr Peri.

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