A jazz and blues club aiming to be Colchester's answer to Ronnie Scott's is opening on the high street.

Offering expertly made cocktails and live music six nights-a-week, Coda opens next Saturday (Dec 29), in the historic 16th century premises which used to be home to Xtreme Gaming.

Musician Tristan Clarke, 24, and hospitality expert Ollie Ward, 22, are the men behind the project, and have completely refitted and renovated the building in preparation for launch.

Mr Clarke, who studied music at the University of York and is a sound engineer by trade, said: "I have always wanted to have a place where I could host live music - somewhere I could invite bands to come to and play.

"We want it to be an open space with a relaxed environment where people can come and go as they please.

"The closest thing to us at the moment is Colchester Arts Centre but they are a ticketed venue. Entry for us will be free unless we get any big name bands to perform.

"We're hoping it will have the atmosphere of places like Ronnie Scott's or the Blues Kitchen in London. This is a music venue with a bar in it not the other way around."

The concept for Coda, which is named after an iconic 1940s jazz venue known as the home of British jazz, was created eight months ago when the duo believe they spotted a gap in the market in Colchester.

Mr Ward said: "I wanted to get started on a venture, I was thinking of working on a restaurant concept, but we put our heads together and came up with this idea.

"We were sitting in town one day and we realised there was not really anything like this around.

"We are not worried about making loads of money - the more successful it is the better but that's not what it is about for us.

"In theory this is something brand new to Colchester so we are not sure how it is going to take, but the better it does the bigger acts we'll be able to book."

In August the duo, who both live in Wivenhoe, took over the premises and began the lengthy refurbishment project.

Putting in 15-hour days, they've done most of the work themselves although a few friends have helped them along the way. Several local artists have also created some eye-catching art installations for the venue.

Mr Clarke said: "It has been a hell of a process, over eight months of bureaucracy and building work. Ollie hasn't had a day off in four months.

"We are a completely independent venue and so we can work with who we like so we hope we're able to stock beers by local breweries and we're hoping to showcase local talent on stage.

"We've taken on four staff already and we're planning to take on more in the future."

Coda is hosting a special New Year's Eve launch party featuring a DJ set from producer Ro Bradley.

Visit www.facebook.com/pg/CodaUk.