A city centre nightclub has closed its doors amid rumours it has been sold.

Ocean & Collins, in Park End Street, has not opened since last Tuesday.

Tony Cope, Oxford's police licensing chief, had been informed of the closure, but said the venue remained licensed should a new owner be found.

He said: "It appears to be a management issue and it looks to be closed for the foreseeable future."

The Ocean & Collins chain is owned by Bloxham-based Time Company Ltd. The manager of its Southampton venue said the Oxford branch had been sold.

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact Time Company Ltd or the current licence holders of the club for a comment.

Since opening in December 2005, the club has courted controversy.

In its opening month, the nightspot denied turning down entry to a group of 60 women who said the club only wanted "sexy, stylish" clubbers.

A month later, another group of women claimed the club turned them away for being too old.

In March, 2006, three live beetles were found in rice. Later that year, the venue was criticised by the city council for using chalk to daub adverts for its football coverage across Oxford.

Last year, the council removed 46 flyposters advertising Ocean & Collins stuck up in Headington.