A much-loved nightclub has permanently closed after 16 years and is set to be demolished by the council, KentOnline can reveal.

The Funky Monkey was one of Dover's most popular venues and "created a lot of memories" for those who graced its dancefloor.

But the building has now been snapped up by Dover District Council (DDC), as part of its ambitious plans to transform that "neglected" part of the town.

The local authority is trying to secure £20 million from the government's Levelling Up fund for the scheme.

DDC wants to build a new education campus and business centre where The Funky Monkey, which was Dover's biggest nightclub, is now located. Meanwhile, a residential development is proposed for the site of so-called "Banksy building", which it also plans to knock down.

The council has now acquired the freehold of properties at 8, 10, 11 and 14 Bench Street.

The latter, since 2006, has been home to The Funky Monkey, which had a capacity for 240 punters.

Boss Nathan Sutton told KentOnline that a DDC surveyor visited the site in September to carry out a due diligence check and "felt there was lateral movement in the structure".

It meant the club - known simply as "Funky's" to many Dovorians - had to suddenly shut.

Mr Sutton says the council bought the site later that month. But, until now, the venue's permanent closure had not been confirmed.

"It's sad it's come to an end," Mr Sutton said.

"It's created a lot of memories over the years - but it didn't get a final chapter."

The legendary nightclub had a rating of three out of five stars on TripAdvisor.

One reviewer described how it was "always a good night out in Funky's" while another said "lots has changed over the years for the better".

But others bemoaned its "sticky, dirty carpets" and claimed "you get stuck to the floor when you walk in".

Mr Sutton says his favourite memory was when rivals Club Karma, in Adrian Street, had big names DJ Luck and MC Neat on the decks - but "the Monkey was packed".

"On great nights like that you had tunes like Place Your Hands by Reef, Summer of '69 and Don't Look Back In Anger with the whole club singing along," he said.

"I think it's success was that it never took itself too seriously, was great value - and all about fun times with friends."

But now, as part of DDC's so-called "Dover Beacon" project, the building is earmarked for demolition.

According to sketches produced by the council, it would be replaced with a business centre and an East Kent College School of Art & Design.

Another eye-catching proposal is for 11 Bench Street, which the council has now purchased.

The former Castle Amusements building, owned for decades by the Godden family, would be flattened and turned into a commercial and residential development.

This derelict site, at the corner with York Street, is where Banksy famously painted a huge EU flag mural in the wake of Brexit.

The artwork has since been whitewashed over.

The council views Bench Street as a key link between the seafront and the recently-renovated Market Square, which had huge metal water rings installed in the summer.

For many years, the idea of a footbridge over the A20 was mooted as an improvement on the oft-flooded underpass. But a bridge does not appear to be part of the Dover Beacon scheme.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, leader of DDC, said: “This is a key phase in realising our vision to transform this neglected part of Dover town centre.

"For too long, these dilapidated buildings have given a poor first impression of the town.

“Following the purchase of the buildings, we’ve assessed their condition and are working to ensure the site is ready for redevelopment at the earliest opportunity.”

A decision on the council’s bid to the Levelling Up fund is due by the end of this year.

If awarded, all the cash must be spent by March 2025.

The proposals also include providing 800m² green space next to the River Dour and expanding the current Dover cycle hire scheme.

What's left of Dover's nightlife?

The Funky Monkey opened in June 2006, taking over an empty site previously occupied by Jay's Wine Bar.

At the time, Mr Sutton said the name didn't mean anything but Funky Monkey "just sounded right".

It is the latest nightclub to sadly close its doors in Dover.

Images in Castle Street was a hugely popular venue that closed in the early Noughties. The site was bought by JD Wetherspoon in 2003 but the pub chain never managed to reopen its doors and it has since been demolished.

Meanwhile Club Karma in Adrian Street closed in 2018 before being hit with an arson attack.

Mr Sutton - who also owns Dover pubs The Duchess and The Cricketers - says DDC appears to have "no plan" for nighttime entertainment in the town.

There are still a few venues which stay open past midnight, including The Attic in Church Street, Rhino and Bull's in King Street and Lava Lounge in Biggin Street.

Mr Sutton says The Duchess, in Bench Street, stays open till 2am on Saturdays and has a DJ.