CHRISTCHURCH’S sole night-club has shut to make way for a new convenience store and flats.

Club Epic in Bargates has closed its doors and a planning application for the shop and flats submitted to Christchurch Bor-ough Council.

A statement from the developer says the nightclub has been operating at a “reduced level” for some time and is now closed.

Due to the fall in customers, the current usage is not deemed appropriate, with the owners proposing to change it to the store and keep the existing flat.

The state of the club inside means it is not “economically” feasible to refurbish it with the nightclub described as “oversized, redundant and commercially unviable.”

“Its closure and replacement with a useful, easily-accessible local store will be supported by residents. The front elevation will be improved in appearance and provided with a glazed shop front at ground floor level that is characteristic of Bargates”, the design and access statement said.

Dukes, in Barrack Road, which describes itself as a bar on its Facebook page, and Soho – a restaurant and bar – are now believed to be the only venues to remain open later in the town.

Peter Watson-Lee, president of Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “It is a shame that with the blossoming evening economy in Christchurch, no one has felt able to make a success of this club.

“Once it has gone, I suspect it will be very difficult to obtain a club licence elsewhere in the town due to the opposition such applications usually give rise to and it is therefore a shame to see it go.

“However, the premises have been empty for some time and at least this application does include a retail element which will provide employment and should reinvigorate the site.”

The application is open for comments until September 17.

The club was previously known as Coach and Horses, Horse and Groom, Kiss, The Highlander, Highlander IV, Hype, Reef and Thomas Tripp Late and Live.