A town’s only nightclub will not be closing despite its owners plunging into administration, bosses have confirmed.

Cameo in Ashford is owned by Rekom UK, the UK's largest nightclub operator, which appointed administrators last month due to higher bills amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Seventeen of its nightclubs across the UK, including Atik in Dartford, have closed following the announcement, but bosses say Cameo in Station Road will stay open as usual.

A spokeswoman said: “Following a review of its business, late night operator Rekom UK, has confirmed that Cameo Ashford will stay open, with the safeguarding of 21 jobs.

“The venue attracts many hundreds of people into the town every month, forming a key part of the local economy and supporting other businesses, such as taxi firms, takeaways and bars.”

Rekom’s managing director, Russell Quelch, said: “We are thrilled that Cameo will be part of our business moving forward and we look forward to the venue continuing to play a key role in Ashford’s late-night economy.

“The restructure puts the national business on a stronger footing and allows the UK team to focus on key growth opportunities.

“Cameo Ashford will form part of this strategy as we look to develop our businesses in key locations and expand our cluster offering.”

Atik in Dartford has not been so lucky and closed suddenly earlier this week.

Staff at the three-room venue in Essex Road were only given the news on Monday night and were told they could only go in the next day to collect their belongings.

The company has since confirmed to KentOnline it has failed to reach an agreement with its landlord and have been forced to hand back the lease of the Dartford club which means it has closed and its team has been made redundant.

The two-storey club has gone through numerous name changes over its four-decade history and has been known to generations of clubbers as Scala, Flicks, Air and Breathe and Zens and Library.

Rekom bought Cameo in 2021 when former operators Deltic Group put itself up for sale in a bid to stave off bankruptcy.

The Scandinavian company rescued the nightclub with a £10 million deal.

The mid-19th century Cameo building, which has changed hands several times over the years, was first converted into a nightclub, restaurant and bar in 1998.

It is a Grade II-listed former rail-side warehouse which has been operating as Cameo since 2014 following a £1.25m makeover.