SOUTHEND’S most famous club will close down on New Year’s Eve.

Blizz Trading, the company behind Talk Nightclub in Lucy Road, has confirmed the club’s last business day will be December 31.

In a statement on social media, a spokesman for the club said: “It is with the deepest of regret that Blizz Trading has to announce the closure of TALK Nightclub which will occur on NYE as our last trading session.

“The venue which has been known as Talk Of The South (TOTS), TOTS 2000 and Talk has been an icon of the South East night-time economy for over 30 years.

“This is certainly a sign of the times whereby social media and bad media coverage of a geographical location have a devastating effect on the leisure-based industry.”

The venue has gone through several different identities during its tenure, and has been open on the seafront since 1973.

It has four different areas and 11 VIP booths, and has hosted many high profile celebrities over the years including Jason Derulo, Ghanaian music duo Reggie and Bollie from The X Factor, rapper B Young and house DJ Kevin Over.

It was also host to many mixed martial arts events too.

But, over the years, there have been several incidents of violence nearby or outside the club.

Yet despite the problems, the club managers stated how proud they were of the venue - and the many positive memories it has made.

The spokesman added: “We will go out with a bang and a smile.

“We will do what we do best for the remainder of the year. All our closing parties will be announced within the next couple of days.

“Lastly, thank you to all our customers over the last 30 years and all my predecessors.

“TOTS was undoubtedly the most successful club in Essex for many, many years.

“To all the previous managers, DJ’s, promo, cleaners, bar staff, pot staff, door staff, receptionists, promoters and all other staff.

“Not to mention the owners.

“You made it what it was.

“We salute you.”

Visit talknightclub.co.uk

*This year saw Leo Westlake, of Alamein Gardens, Kent, convicted after a row outside the club in April 2017 which left a bouncer in a wheelchair.

He was given a suspended prison sentence in March, but he was found to have breached it this month and a warrant is now out for his arrest.

In February 2017, George Facey-Smith attacked Jamie Wilson outside the club which left him blind in one eye.