Sugar Hut Nightclub’s Impending Sale Signifies the Close of an Era

While some consider Southend-on-Sea’s renowned pier, Colchester Castle, or Epping Forest’s ancient woodlands to be Essex’s most significant features, for others, the Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood held a central place in the county’s identity. This establishment, a celebrity hub popularized by its features on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), is now slated for permanent closure. The property is on the market for £3.85m, prompting inquiry into the source of its widespread recognition. The Sugar Hut, which commenced operations on Brentwood High Street in 2004, achieved widespread recognition six years later. It rapidly became a prominent setting for disputes and dramatic events on the ITV program TOWIE, following the series’ debut in 2010. Prior to its television prominence, the location functioned as The White Hart, the town’s most historic public house. According to planning records, this former coaching inn originated no later than 1500, providing a convenient stopover for individuals journeying between London, Colchester, and more distant areas in Suffolk and Norfolk. The pub’s name is reportedly linked to Richard II, whose emblem was a white hart, following his alleged overnight stay there in the 15th Century. “It must have been packed with people for much of its 500-year life,” states one historical record. Currently, the architectural significance of the building’s first-floor galleries is acknowledged through their Grade II* listed status. The visibility of Sugar Hut increased significantly after its proprietor, Mick Norcross, became a cast member of TOWIE himself. During his management, notable figures such as Pamela Anderson, Frank Lampard, and Teddy Sheringham were among those who attended parties at the establishment. These celebrity visits occurred after TOWIE regulars like Joey Essex, Mark Wright, and Gemma Collins had already frequented its dance floor. Notwithstanding the heightened visibility provided by the ITV production, Norcross exited the program in 2013, citing damage to the Sugar Hut’s brand reputation. He informed The Sun then: “My club is an upmarket venue where people come to drink champagne and feel spoiled.” He added, “All these rows they keep filming don’t show the club in a good light and I’m worried it’s putting people off coming, which is the last thing I want.” Nevertheless, the establishment maintained its appeal to famous individuals, serving as a venue for wrap parties for programs such as Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, and employing “Sugar Hut Honeys” to attract attendees. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage even conducted a rally there in 2019, at which time he was in charge of the Brexit Party. Norcross eventually sold the premises in 2019, two years prior to his passing in 2021, due to his desire to disassociate from TOWIE. Following its reopening in October 2022, the nightclub’s website advertised it as catering to a “new generation of beautiful partygoers,” featuring immersive theatre events and a variety of music genres “to suit all tastes.” Simon Ryan, who participated in the initial series of the ITV show, characterized the venue at one stage as “a Mayfair club in Essex.” He informed BBC Essex, “Going to Sugar Hut, you didn’t know who you were going to bump into.” He added, “They had some very famous clientele there. It was central in a lot of drama and storylines of TOWIE.” Ryan further stated that Norcross and his son, Kirk, had cultivated a “fantastic experience” for patrons seeking an evening out. He remarked, “You just didn’t know who you’d see in there and it was a great vibe.” He concluded that its failure to persist as a nightclub would signify “the end of an era.” The property’s most recent change of ownership occurred in 2012, when Karma Assets Limited acquired it for £1.3m. Companies House records indicate that this Essex-based firm, managed by managing director Zivile Milusauskaite, remains the owner of Sugar Hut. For updates on Essex news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.