A POPULAR music venue is coming back to Chelmsford after the owners decided to move earlier this month.

The Loop is set to open in Tindal Street opposite Shire Hall to punters on February 16 with a DJ set from Neville Staple, a member of legendary 1980s ska band the Specials.

The bar will be the reincarnation of Hooga, formally Barhouse, which was shut by owners Jon Board and Marc Miller because of persistent noise complaints from the site in Victoria Road.

Within the new building, the main dancefloor will be on the ground floor while a lounge bar will take up space on the floor above.

Mr Miller said: “This is going to be a bit more loungey, which is something we could not really do before with Hooga and Barhouse because it was just one large space, rather than separate floors.

“There is even a third floor which we are looking to use at some stage and this is what me and Jon thought would be the next step in the business.

“Other than that the Loop will have the same sort of feel as before along with some of the event nights we had.”

He added he was pleased to be opening the venue, saying it should offer them a bit more in the way of passing trade to give business an extra boost.