A nightclub at the centre of a Kent meningitis outbreak that has claimed the lives of two young people is set to reopen this week.
Club Chemistry in Canterbury shut its doors voluntarily earlier this month when several cases were traced back to people attending the venue over three nights from March 5.
Louise Jones-Roberts says she did not want to open Club Chemistry until she was satisfied there was no risk to anyone
Now, with no new infections reported for nine days, the club in Station Road East will welcome back customers on Thursday.
While no formal clearance was needed, owner Louise Jones-Roberts says she invited public health and environmental health officers in to inspect the venue ahead of making a decision she says was not taken lightly.
“We closed because we wanted to make sure there was no more risk to people until we knew things were under control,” she said.
“There were more important things than the business. Two families have lost loved ones – everything else pales into insignificance.
“When the consideration is between a business and people’s wellbeing, it isn’t even a decision.”
Club Chemistry has been shut since news of the first cases emerged on March 13
The UK Health Security Agency has established the majority of those with confirmed or probable meningitis had attended Club Chemistry between March 5 and March 7, in what were described as “super-spreader” events.
It says 18 people confirmed to have contracted the disease had been at the venue on those nights, including two members of staff, with all requiring hospital treatment.
But experts have stressed the club itself was not the source of infection, describing meningitis as “a bacteria in people, not venues”.
Meningococcal Group B (MenB) spreads through prolonged close personal contact – such as intimate kissing or sharing drinks and vapes – rather than through surfaces, meaning buildings themselves are not a risk.
Mrs Jones-Roberts says the past few weeks have been unlike anything she has ever faced.
“We’ve never dealt with anything like this – everything has been done by feel, just making the decisions that feel like the best thing to do,” she said.
“What was hard – what I could not have prepared for – was waking up every morning knowing that two young people had died, that two of my own staff were in hospital, and that people I care about were frightened.
“That’s why we decided we weren’t going to open until we knew more about what was happening with the outbreak and the safety of our customers.
Thousands of students have received vaccines at the University of Kent. Picture: PA
“But there have been no new cases, and we feel that is adequate time to ensure that by opening we’re not going to inadvertently cause any harm to our customers.
“Before taking the decision, we invited public health and environmental health officers into the venue to carry out a formal inspection. We didn’t have to, but it is a standard we chose to hold ourselves to, and they were happy with everything.”
At its peak, 34 confirmed and probable cases were linked to the outbreak, though that figure has since fallen to 22, with more than 11,000 vaccines and 13,500 doses of antibiotics now administered across east Kent.
Two people – a University of Kent student and 18-year-old Faversham schoolgirl Juliette Kenny – sadly died.
Mrs Jones-Roberts says the club’s connection with the outbreak has been difficult to process.
“It’s not as though the disease came from the building or it’s on surfaces or anything – but there is now an association with it,” she said.
“People lost their lives and we are associated with that, and the sadness and the shock around that. The shock will wane, but the rest of it will not.
“We are not the same venue we were before March. We are more aware of the preciousness of life, and as a result, we intend to make the most of every minute because who knows what is around the corner for any of us.”
Looking ahead, she says the club will reopen with a renewed sense of purpose – and a series of new measures designed to raise awareness and protect customers.
Students waiting in line for a vaccine ion the University of Kent campus. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA
These include optional track-and-trace forms, hand sanitising stations, staff training on meningitis symptoms and prominent awareness materials throughout the venue.
Customers will also be urged not to share drinks or vapes, while a strict zero-tolerance approach to vaping inside will be enforced.
“People seem to think it’s OK [to vape inside],” the club boss said. “Anybody caught will be asked to leave, and they risk a permanent exclusion.”
The club has also partnered with meningitis charity Meningitis Now, with fundraising events planned and all door proceeds on opening night donated to the charity.
Dr Tom Nutt, the chief executive of Meningitis Now, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Club Chemistry through this new partnership. Louise and her staff have worked positively and proactively in their response to the outbreak and we are pleased to see how they have engaged public health and environmental health officials to ensure they’re ready to welcome young people back to the club.
“The club has an important role to play in helping young people to feel safe and to be aware of the risks of meningitis, how to prevent it, what to do should they suspect its occurrence. We look forward to working with the club and supporting the staff team through training and meningitis awareness.”
Mrs Jones-Roberts is also continuing to push for the expansion of the MenB vaccine to those aged 15 to 25 to “ensure that the next generation and the current generation are protected”.
The family of 18-year-old Juliette Kenny (pictured left) are also pushing for an expansion of the Men B vaccine
“Our community has lost two young people, and we want to make sure they are always in our thoughts, and that they are the focal point of something positive going forward,” she said.
“We’ve got a responsibility now to be part of the solution – to raise awareness and help protect people going forward.”
She also paid tribute to her staff, describing them as “brilliant”.
“They’ve shared in the sadness, the shock and the grief,” she said.
“My team are extraordinary human beings. They showed up for this community in a way I will never forget.”
The outbreak has come at an already difficult time for Mrs Jones-Roberts, with her other venue, Tokyo Tea Rooms, still shut following a fire at the neighbouring Odeon cinema.
But she says her focus has remained on those around her.
“I’m a mum. I’m a single parent. I’ve got a team of more than 90 people that I’m responsible for,” she said.
“One of the things I’ve found, particularly as I’ve gotten older, is that the more people you care for and are responsible for, the more meaning and purpose life has.
“When you have that, it keeps you going.”