Dartford has found a new tenant for the old ATIK nightclub, which has been empty for nearly a year, bringing hope for the venue’s future.
The council owns the building on Essex Road and is now working on a lease with the new tenant. However, they can’t share any details about the business moving in until everything is finalized.
The ATIK Dartford closed its doors for good last February after the company running it, Rekom UK, went into administration. They cited rising costs and the ongoing cost of living crisis as reasons for shutting down 17 of their venues across the country.
Peter Marks, the chairman of Rekom UK, mentioned that they couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord, which led to the closure and job losses for the staff.
Shortly after the club closed, a group called Starbass UK staged a protest, entering the empty venue as part of their “Save Our Nightlife” campaign. They claimed to have “acquired” the space through squatting loopholes to raise awareness about the struggles faced by young creatives in the music scene.
The council had to step in to evict them, and the police were keeping an eye on the situation. Eventually, the building was put up for lease, and commercial property agents helped find interested parties.
The club has had a long history, changing names several times over the years, and has been a part of many people’s nightlife experiences in Dartford.
