Colonel Bogey's, the Isle of Wight's longest-running nightclub is to close.
THE Isle of Wight’s longest-running nightclub will close its doors for the last time in November — after 40 years.
Colonel Bogey’s in Sandown will shut along with the adjacent Jolly Sailor pub, Wight City holiday flats and the Wight City arcade.
As a result of the closures, around 30 staff members will be made redundant.
Wayne Peak, who owns the site with his wife, Elizabeth, said: "It is not a decision we have taken lightly. Over the past four or five years, it's simply been a case of 'use it or lose it' and unfortunately we cannot afford to keep it going any longer."
Sandown Pier, which is also owned by Mr and Mrs Peak, will remain open.
"The pier has been propping up Wight City because we have been losing substantial amounts of money. This has been our worst ever year. There have been a few contributing factors, including the smoking ban, the recession, lack of summer visitors and the increase in Government duties and license fees," he said.
A planning application by Wight City Leisure to convert the site, based on the corner of Fort Street and Culver Parade, into 79 apartments with parking underneath, four commercial/retail units, a bar and restaurant was refused by the Isle of Wight Council planning committee in 2010.
A revised application was again refused earlier this year, but a new application will be submitted.
Mr Peak added: "We have been refused planning permission twice, but we will be working closely with the planners and submitting a fresh application."
Wight City Leisure also rents two concessions at The Needles Park, Alum Bay — Jurassic Golf and the arcade — but it is believed they will stay open.
Bogeys, which opened in 1972, was many Islanders first experience of a nightclub and for a time, was open six nights a week.
It has played host to numerous celebrity visitors, including former Eastenders actors Martin Kemp and Steve McFadden, DJs Trevor Nelson and Tony Blackburn, and more recently, Mark Wright from The Only Way is Essex.
The final 80s night will be on Saturday, November 3, with the site closing the following day.
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk