A crooning superstar's surprise gig, a major role in a music video and 'bitchy bingo'.

These are just some of the incredible and innovative highlights from the history of Mu Mu in Maidstone, which has been welcoming guests for decades; from hen parties to 18th birthdays.

But this week, a new, tragic chapter was written in the establishment's tale.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a blaze ripped through the Week Street restaurant and nightclub business, less than a week before social distancing rules were due to to eased, something the hospitality industry has long called for.

At it's height, 60 firefighters were on the scene and they battled the blaze for hours.

Drone photos revealed the roof had been left a smoking, charred shell and in a heartbreaking post, the owners said they had lost the restaurant, offices and nightclub.

A statement released by Sineal O'Quigley, daughter of owner Ciaran O'Quigley, on behalf of Mu Mu, said the family's devastation was "beyond words" and they "were just one week away from the first grasps at normality."

They did, however, promise defiantly: "We will be back. That much is certain."

KentOnline has delved into the history of Mu Mu and the buildings it occupies.

Before the fire, the cause of which is not yet known, Mu Mu, which sits at 108-110 Week Street, operated four establishments; Fifi's Brasserie, the Laundry Room- which is a cocktail lounge, Mu Mu- a cabaret club which also offers bottomless brunch and Nellie Gerkins - an Irish pub.

However, this was not always the case. From as early as the 1890s, 110 Week Street was known as the London Hotel, according to website Dover Kent Archives.

According to the site, a new building replaced the original in the 1930s and was built a little further back from the road. The name was also changed to the London Tavern.

Corriene Vickers, 58, from Maidstone, spent several of her younger years at the Tavern and had her wedding reception in the pub in 1981.

Sharing her memories of the Tavern, she said: "I started to go when I was 15 which wasn't allowed, in the 70s though it was easier to get into pubs when you were under age."

During the approximate year-and-a-half Mrs Vickers spent her time there, she said there were fights between the customers constantly which would spill onto the streets, and the police had to be called.

She said: "We didn't get stabbings back then, in those days it was just fist fights.

"Actually it was a really good atmosphere when everyone was up and dancing and having a laugh and enjoying themselves, but they used to get really drunk and one person would say something and a fight would break out."

"There was a bouncer and he did karate and he used to use his karate, it would always spill out on the streets."

When Mrs Vickers had her wedding reception there it was under new management and she remembers it later became a pub for bikers.

She says a reunion is still held in the County Town for those who used to frequent the London Tavern.

It's not known when, but the London Tavern later became the Badger and Honeypot and then Quigley's.

It's understood the building was taken over by Mr O'Quigley 29 years-ago and since then the business has grown, with a few famous people popping in a long the way.

On a spring evening in 2004, Canadian rock star Bryan Adams surprised a small audience when he turned up unannounced to perform several duets with Nashville-based performer Gretchen Peters, who he had penned songs with.

The musician, best known for his 80s and 90s rock ballads, arrived, bodyguard in tow, at the Jazz and Blues Café, as it was then known.

Not even Mr O'Quigley knew he was coming and he said that one of the waiters was going to turn him away, because the restaurant was full, until the hit-maker introduced himself.

Four years later, the club had another brush with fame, although it doesn't meet the dizzying heights of a surprise drop in from Bryan Adams.

Mu Mu was the extravagant backdrop for the music video of a rising star of the garage bassline scene and rapper, Chalk.

The business became well known for it's cabaret act and shows, presided over by drag artist Madame Mu Mu.

In a social media post reflecting on the devastating fire, Madame Mu Mu said: "I have been part of the Mu Mu family for nearly 13 years, nine of those as Madame Mu Mu. A family it is.

"I have never been so inspired by the owner's drive, relentless passion for their business, creativity, finger on the pulse and raw determination to succeed in their field.

The post went on to say: "Our "normal" lives about to explode with opportunity and potential. It was hard not to hold back the tears."

Ivy Paige, a singer and cabaret star from Maidstone, who appeared on The Voice, has also trodden the boards at 110 Week Street, alongside Madame Mu Mu.

Ms Paige was selected by Olly Murs in the blind auditions in 2018, and left the judge flustered when she shared his chair, before she was eliminated in a sing-off.

In January 2015, the weekend cabaret show hosted by Madame Mu Mu, real name Chris Garner, was named as the best visitor attraction in Maidstone, taking the top spot on Tripadvisor.

Mr O'Quigley said at the time: “It’s unbelievable. The show has been ranked above Leeds Castle. For at least two days, we were the top thing to do in Kent – beating Canterbury Cathedral.

“Madame Mu Mu gives people a taste of London without leaving their doorsteps. There’s nothing else like this in Kent.”

Tribute band, Abba Chique, have performed alongside Madame Mu Mu for the last six years, about once a month, and then regularly throughout December.

Ainsley Dowel, who plays Frida, remembers their first show: "It was absolutely mad, we just walked out and the crowed went absolutely ballistic. They were up dancing from the off."

The band took part in two socially distant shows, which stuck to Covid restrictions, during the pandemic at Mu Mu, in July last year and June this year.

Ms Dowel said: "We're usually telling the audience they can get up and dance wherever they want but they weren't allowed. They weren't allowed to sing along."

Mu Mu was the only booking they had in the pandemic.

"I'm very grateful to them for giving us work," Ms Dowel said.

"I felt ill seeing the photos of Mu Mu on fire. I could see everywhere the fire was, this is where the office is, that's where we get changed. It's such a beautiful building and it's heartbreaking to see it like that."

Mr O'Quigley has become known over the years for his novel ideas at Mu Mu.

In 2019 he launched The Laundry Room, a cocktail bar with an entrance resembling a laundrette, bringing to mind 1920s speakeasy clubs.

That same year, 'bitchy bingo' was introduced, where guests could enjoy the holiday-game favourite, while tucking into brunch and make the most of bottomless prosecco.

The event was hosted by Madame Mu Mu.

Then, in August 2020, the Nellie Gerkins Irish pub opened, with plans for a karaoke night that celebrates terrible singing- once Covid restrictions allowed, and serving British and Irish tapas, such as beef and Guinness pie, boiled bacon and cabbage.

Six years ago, Mr O'Quigley was granted permission to build a five star hotel in the town, called Hotel Mu Mu, in Brewer Street.

Before getting the go-ahead, he described the concept of the hotel "Claridge's meets Willy Wonka" and said he wanted it to rival the world's best resorts.

Speaking last summer to KentOnline, the professional actor said plans for the hotel have been "on the back burner" because of the pandemic, and construction has yet to start.

However, Mu Mu is not just known for it's quirky schemes, having given back to the community for years.

In 2010, the business raised £4,000 in memory of 18-year-old Danielle Brooker to support her family.

Danielle's family were left devastated when she died, after an ordinary cold turned into a brain infection.

It has also hosted numerous fundraising events, such as a men's pole dancing competition for Comic Relief.

The club has even provided a stage for schools to put on shows.

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