OWNERS of a controversial swingers' club which closed at the turn of the year have applied to use the premises as a home.

Married couple Rebecca Freeman and Jason Woolf hosted their final members’ event at Mingles on New Year’s Eve after four years operating in Colchester.

At the time the couple told friends via social media they had exceeded the length of time they originally planned for Mingles to stay open in London Road, Lexden, and were “going out with a bang”.

Now Mr Woolf has applied to Colchester Council for permission to use the building as a residential dwelling.

The application states: "The site has been used as a private Members Club since August 2014.

"After a decision was made in May 2019 to close the club permanently we have been clearing it out with a view to living in the building which has been the case since August 2019."

Minimal internal works are planned as part of the change of use of the premises.

When Mingles first opened in Colchester in August 2014 opinion was divided on the unusual venture.

Gazette:

Support came from people who felt the discreet club would raise the profile of Lexden and add variety to the town.

However, the couple has had to contend with judgements about their lifestyle as well as protests from Lexden resident Andy Hamilton, who criticised the morality of swingers' clubs.

Mr Hamilton is regularly spotted protesting against the club outside the premises, as well as outside Colchester Town Hall before council meetings.

In April 2015 the club's owners were granted permission to make Mingles a permanent fixture in the town, with Colchester Council saying they had operated “without any significant issues” over its temporary first year in operation.

Gazette:

Despite the club's closure, Mr Hamilton has not stopped his protests.