Birthday for club where dance floor is a safe space

Hundreds now turn out for "Blaze", a weekly club night in Benfleet, Essex

When clubbers first walk through the doors at "Blaze at La Quinta", some may be nervous.

This is a club night especially for adults with disabilities and learning difficulties, and many have had their confidence knocked after experiencing stigma and discrimination.

But using the power of music and dance, this Essex club night has created a safe space.

As it celebrates its 15th birthday, how has one small venue by a busy roundabout in Benfleet transformed the lives of so many?

'Been here literally since it started'

Chris and Faye met at the Blaze club night 15 years ago and are now engaged

When "Blaze" began, just six people would come every week.

Now several hundred turn up and will willingly queue outside to ensure they get in.

But it was in those early days that Chris Hart first spotted Faye Millham.

"He asked me to go out with him in 2010. Now we are engaged", Faye said smiling.

Ever since they met, they have spent their Thursday nights here.

They say it's because they feel welcome.

Chris said "It is really fun to turn up here every Thursday, instead of going down Southend or anywhere where there's not the same atmosphere."

"Here you get treated nice. But down somewhere different, it is a bit rough."

The possibility of them having their wedding reception at the venue is often joked about but no plans are in place just yet.

'We used to just go to the pub'

Best friends Nicola and Natalie bonded over a love of going out dancing

Best friends Nicola Cooksey and Natalie Wood love to dance but there never used to be anywhere they felt they could go.

Then along came "Blaze".

When they come through the doors of the club they get high fives from the staff and the DJ.

Natalie is particularly excited to be celebrating its 15th birthday.

"I find it very good and I like dancing on the dance floor," she said.

Nicola added: "It is very important because it gets people [with disabilities and learning difficulties] to come out.

"We used to just go to the pub and that is it - there was nowhere else to go.

"But this is a nice venue to come to."

'The clubbers often do not need their carers'

The Duke brothers said they could make more money if they did not do the club night, but wanted to give back to the community

"Blaze" was started by Simon and Rupert Duke, who co-own the venue, after an employee's daughter was dragged out of a nightclub in Southend.

They said the bouncer had not recognised the 19-year-old's special needs and mistook her for being drunk.

So they started to host the inclusive and accessible club night in their own restaurant.

Rupert said having a dedicated club night gives people confidence and the dancers are "happy and not stigmatised".

Taylor loves doing Elvis and Michael Jackson impressions

Themes for the club night are often chosen by the punters themselves - including Halloween, Disney and Harry Potter.

Simon Duke said the night is even more important in 2024 than it was when they first began in 2009.

"With all the pressures people are having now... the intensity of social media... it gives people somewhere they can come where they are not getting abuse and they can be themselves."

I asked the brothers whether they thought the night would make it to 15 years when they first began.

"I never really thought of it that much. We just keep cracking on. Week in, week out," replied Simon.