Rekom UK: Basildon's Unit 7 nightclub closed

Staff have been made redundant with immediate effect following the closure of Unit 7

Clubbers said the closure of a town's night spot was a "bad moment" for the area's night-time economy.

Nightclub operator Rekom UK said it was forced to return the lease of Unit 7, in Basildon, Essex, after it was unable to make an agreement with its landlord.

The venue, in Festival Leisure Park was shut on Friday and staff made redundant with immediate effect.

Rekom UK chairman Peter Marks said it had been an "iconic venue for a great night out over the years".

The decision came just under three weeks after Rekom, which owns the Atik and Pryzm brands, said it would be bringing in administrators as it struggled with higher bills.

'Iconic venue'

Mr Marks said following a review of the business, Unit 7 was closed and staff were made redundant.

He added it had been an "extremely difficult period for the sector" and cited a combination of the cost-of-living crisis hitting younger people and the rising costs of the national minimum wage.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our guests and teams who have made Unit 7 such an iconic venue for a great night out over the years," Mr Marks added.

One clubber, Louis Allwood, said it was a "bad moment" for people looking to enjoy a night out in Basildon.

"It means there are less places to go out here - and the ones that survive will become even more busy," the 24-year-old said.

Another wrote on social media: "The building must be cursed because no club has ever succeeded there."