Sugar Hut nightclub on the market for £3.85m

The Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood, Essex, became a staple on reality television

A nightclub made famous by its appearances on an Essex reality show has gone on the market for £3.85m.

The Sugar Hut opened in Brentwood, Essex in 2004 and was owned and later sold by The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE) star Mick Norcross before his death in 2021.

An online listing said the four-floor building was Grade II listed with an "attractive" courtyard.

Simon Ryan, who appeared on the first season of the ITV series, said the nightclub attracted people from all over the world, as well as celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Teddy Sheringham and Frank Lampard.

Speaking on BBC Essex, Mr Ryan said the venue was "almost a Mayfair club in Essex".

"It was a fantastic experience but good things have to come to an end," he said.

The Sugar Hut was "central in lots of TOWIE dramas and storylines", Mr Ryan said

Mr Ryan added that he had many memories "celebrating life" at the Sugar Hut, and if it did not continue as a nightclub it would be "the end of an era".

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said: "Nightclubs have had the hardest run over the last five years."

He added he did not believe there would be any nightclubs left by 31 December 2029 if they kept closing at the current rate, because of "high operation costs and people having less disposable income".

Mr Ryan said he thought the venue would "potentially be turned into flats" but added that he hoped the Sugar Hut signage would remain.