A former underground public convenience in Victoria Place could become a glitzy nightclub if the plans of a London-based leisure business are approved.

The toilets’ entrance – on the small traffic island between Boots and the Bargain Store – was blocked off around 40 years ago. But the underground space lies untouched and is now the subject of a multi-million pound redevelopment plan to build an enterainment venue to rival anything found in London’s West End.

Brightlingsea Info has been privy to an exclusive sneak preview of the plans, which are the brainchild of club entrepreneur Netty John. She heard about the sealed-off toilet block while on a visit to Brightlingsea Museum and the idea of turning it into a high-end venue – code-named Cubicles – took off.

“I scoured old archives to find out more,” said Ms John. “Eventually I had something to go on and once I discovered how extensive the space is, and what good condition it’s in, I just couldn’t get the idea out of my head.”

Though there’s nothing to be seen in modern-day Victoria Place, the toilets were a feature in the town from around 1900 and the entrance can just be seen in old photographs.

Though the entrance was sealed, surprisingly, the fixtures and fittings were left in place and Ms John hopes that some can be reused for the new club. A theme of green tiles and mosaic flooring will echo the ambience of the old toilets – as can be seen in some of the artist’s impressions of how the interior might look.

Cubicles won’t be the first club Ms John has opened in a former loo. She opened the Cottage on Hampstead Heath in 2004, followed by another in Sydney, Australia , called Dunny’s.

Ms John is hoping that if the plans are approved, Cubicles could be open for business by April 1, 2026.