Nightclub Owner Commits to Safety Amid Meningitis Outbreak
The owner of Club Chemistry, a nightclub associated with a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury, Kent, has stated that the venue "will not open until this is under control" following the hospitalisation of two staff members.
Club Chemistry has been identified as a focal point in the meningitis outbreak affecting the Canterbury area, with 27 cases either suspected or confirmed, including two fatalities.
Louise Jones-Roberts, the club owner, described the prevailing atmosphere in the city as one of "a lot of fear and anxiety."
Among those hospitalised are three cheerleaders from the University of Kent, according to a member of the society.
"As a mother, any time there's a rash you get the glass out - it's ingrained in our consciousness.
People are frightened. There's a lot of fear and anxiety.
We are not prepared to open until we know this is under control and people are safe."
Jones-Roberts confirmed that the two staff members affected remain hospitalised but are stable and expected to be discharged in the coming days.
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to advise anyone who visited Club Chemistry between 5-7 March, as well as University of Kent students, to seek preventative antibiotic treatment.
Olivia Parkins, 18, a member of the University of Kent cheerleading society, reported that three members of the society have contracted the disease.
"I know quite a lot of people who are in hospital with it."
Impact on Local Businesses and Community Response
The UKHSA confirmed that no additional deaths have occurred following the initial two fatalities: a 21-year-old university student and Juliette, a sixth former at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham. The outbreak has been linked to meningitis B strain.
Local businesses in Canterbury city centre have reported a significant decline in trade since the outbreak began.
Sandy de Rougemont, manager of the House of Agnes hotel, stated that although they had been fully booked previously, they have lost about a third of their bookings this week.
"People are panicking and ringing up to cancel their rooms due to the outbreak.
There's a knock-on effect as many other businesses are suffering, as if people aren't staying they aren't visiting other hospitality outlets."
Sophie Treasden, proprietor of The Refectory Kitchen, noted a reduction to approximately half of their usual business despite improving weather conditions. She observed fewer tourists from London and France and mentioned staff reductions.
"We're taking about half of what we usually do when the weather improves. We still see some regular customers but there have been very few tourists from London and France.
As a result we are prepping less food so I've had to stand down one of our chefs and a front of house member of staff. Hopefully business will pick up soon."
Alice Antosen, a pharmacy worker in Canterbury, remarked on the reduced foot traffic and an unusual increase in teenagers loitering in the area.
Current Status and Public Health Measures
A UKHSA spokesperson reported that as of 17:00 GMT on Wednesday, 15 cases of meningitis had been confirmed with an additional 12 under investigation, bringing the total to 27 cases.
The UKHSA has issued an urgent public health alert requesting healthcare professionals nationwide to be vigilant for meningitis symptoms.
A vaccination programme is underway to immunise approximately 5,000 students at the University of Kent's Canterbury campus against meningitis B.
When questioned about whether the outbreak had been contained, Dr Anjan Ghosh of Kent County Council told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that they were "not in a position yet to say that definitively."
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