A TRADER has set up an online campaign to get the former Odeon building in Colchester cleaned up.

The Gazette revealed Steve Peri, who has owned the Crouch Street site for eight years, has no plans to carry out work, or sell it, following his failed bid to turn it into a nightclub.

Ben Green, who operates from offices near the site, has set up a Facebook campaign group in a bid to get something done.

He said: “I am trying to make this not about what should be done, more that just something should be done.

“It’s now only used as a shelter from rain, if you can stomach the urine and puke on its steps.

“As a trader, I am appalled by the lack of action and am urging people to help raise awareness now.”

On the Facebook page, called “Clean up the old cinema building in Crouch Street Colchester”, he urges people to get on board.

He says while he understands why a nightclub was turned down, it would be better than letting what he describes as an iconic building fall into disrepair.

Mr Green said: “It’s been a long and complicated story, with so many arguments about it future use. The resulting outcome is nothing happening.

“In typical Colchester fashion, it will continue to deteriorate until one day it falls down.”

On the page, he urges people to post photos and memories, suggest it to friends and gather support.

He hopes Mr Peri and the council will take notice, but Mr Peri says he has no plans and Colchester Council says its hands are tied because it does not own the site.

Nick Barlow, ward councillor, said the situation was frustrating.

He said: “The council unanimously refused the plan for a nightclub when it initially met and the planning inspector upheld that view.

“It is all very well the traders saying they would prefer to have a nightclub there than how it is now, but the residents in Church Walk and Crouch Street would have to put up with what was planned to be the second largest club in East Anglia on their doorsteps.”