Dartford residents have mourned the "end of a chapter" after the nightclub ATIK announced it will be shutting its doors for good.

The Essex Road club, previously known as Scala, Flicks, Air & Breathe, and Zens is one of 17 Rekom UK venues set to close.

The announcement, made on February 1, is a part of a restructuring plan due to an "extremely difficult" year for the late-night sector.

Generations of clubbers took to Facebook to share fond memories of their version of the decades-old nightclub.

Charlie Mayers recalled the "epic paint and foam parties" from her days at the club, adding that she will be "sad to see it go".

She said: "It will join a long line of great pubs and clubs in Dartford that are now no more."

Lesley Chilvers remembered the opening night at Flicks and the exciting roller disco, while John Clarke looked back fondly at that era's Thursday nights filled with soul and funk music - and featuring popular DJ Robbie Vincent.

Some residents, like Kelly Watson, even had their lives changed by the infamous nightclub.

Ms Watson reminisced about meeting her husband there exactly 22 years ago when it was still called Zens, saying that the venue has " a lot to answer for" in her life.

The closure announcement was simply labelled as the "end of a chapter" by one resident Caroline Cuni.

ATIK's closure has left residents concerned about the future of nightlife in Dartford, with many echoing Al D'Mello's comment on social media that "suburban nightclubs are dead".

The closure was announced after Rekom UK, one of the country's largest nightclub firms, appointed administrators in response to challenges including the current cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs.

The Dartford ATIK was one of 35 clubs owned by the firm, including venues in London and Kent.

Rekom UK has informed staff of redundancy support due to the closures.

The company has managed to save around 1,000 jobs and confirmed efforts to redeploy staff elsewhere in the business, according to a statement.

Despite this, around 471 jobs have been lost due to the closures.

Peter Marks, Chairman of Rekom UK, said: "This outcome follows an extremely difficult period for the late-night sector, thanks to the combination of the cost-of-living crisis hitting younger generations and students particularly hard, as well as the rising National Living Wage alongside increased business rates and costs of operating.

"We have made every effort to redeploy staff across the business where possible."