A CONTROVERSIAL plan to open an adult entertainment venue in Colchester town centre is set to face its final hurdle.

Solo Summers, which would open for business in the old Embassy Suite building, in Balkerne Hill, already has planning permission.

But it still must pass the licensing phase.

Its owner Ian Saunders wants to open the venue in memory of his late wife Solo, 44.

He insists the business won’t be a sex club, instead classing it as an adult arts entertainment venue.

He has promised it will not be “sordid”, and will welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations, with male and female dancers as well as drag nights.

Various objections have been filed, including from a feminist campaign group and a charity which houses elderly residents near to the site.

The scheme will go before Colchester Council’s licensing committee at 6pm on Wednesday which will decide whether or not to grant the business a sex establishment licence.

In a report on the plans, the council’s licensing manager John Ruder said the application must be decided “on its own merits”, while keeping in mind objections and comments.

“The council has a discretion to refuse licences for sex establishments on the grounds the licence would be inappropriate, having regard to the character of the locality or the use of premises in the vicinity,” he said.

Mr Ruder said the committee must take into account matters including the venue’s exterior appearance, crime and disorder issues and the proposed hours of operation.

If approved, Solo Summers would be licensed to open between 8pm and midnight on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and between 8pm and 2am on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and bank holidays.

Mr Ruder added: “The council is satisfied relevant entertainment is to be provided at the venue for financial gain and that it therefore requires to be licensed as a sexual entertainment venue.”