Some nightclubs build their reputation on being exclusive, but one venue is working on being more inclusive.
Every Thursday, La Quinta Restaurant in Benfleet, Essex, runs a special night – which is fully accessible and open to all – called Blaze.
It creates a safe space with plenty of room for those with disabilities to dance the night away and meet new people.
For one young man with cerebral palsy, who has been a regular at the popular event since it started 14 years ago, the night changed his life completely.
Chris has a stammer and struggles with his confidence but, like any youngster in their mid-20s, he wanted to get out of the house and socialise.
Mainstream clubs in nearby Southend were “too much” for chef assistant Chris, so he decided to give Blaze a go after hearing about it from one of his friends.
Speaking to the Express on the dance floor on Thursday, he said: “I come every week and have done since the very beginning. It’s not like other nightclubs here – it’s welcoming, there’s a friendly atmosphere and no judgement.”
One Thursday night back in 2010, Chris met Faye – who fell off a horse when she was 10, causing permanent damage – at the bar and hit it off straight away.
Today, the couple are engaged, looking to buy a house together and still attend Blaze every week.
Faye, 32, who had her arm around Chris, 38, said: “It gets us out and socialising with other people. Everyone knows everyone here – it’s like a family.
“Me and Chris have been engaged since 2012 when he proposed to me in Disneyworld in Florida. We’re massive Disney fans so this was really special for us.”
The club night – which can see more than 100 people visit every week – offers a top Essex DJ, Luke, plus themed events every month, with finger food and fancy dress.
Restaurant co-owners and brothers Rupert and Simon Duke said they let their guests choose the theme, whether that be Disney, cowboys or 80s.
The siblings, from Benfleet, set up Blaze in 2010 after one of their staff members’ daughters, who also had cerebral palsy, was thrown out of a casino for being “too drunk”, just because she was unsteady on her feet.
Simon said: “We thought this was unfair, so we decided to shut the restaurant every Thursday night to start an inclusive special needs night.
“We wanted to create a safe environment for disabled people to go and enjoy good music, have a drink and a laugh.
“We started with a group of six friends, and through word of mouth, we have managed to grow that to a group of about 300 people who love our event.”
It is £5 to get in and Simon said they see new people every week. It is an over-18s night but anyone and everyone is welcome, he said.
His brother Rupert added: “It puts a bit of faith back in humanity. Nobody here cares about each other’s differences and they welcome everyone, whoever they are.
“It’s so heartwarming, especially when you see new friendships and relationships blossom, like Chris and Faye.”
Chris works at the restaurant – which can seat up to 160 people – as a kitchen assistant after the previous place he worked in went bust.
Simon continued: “About five years ago, Chris came in with a sad look on his face and he told us that he’d lost his job.
“He was so worried he wouldn’t get a job elsewhere so me and Rupert trained him up and gave him a position in the kitchen at La Quinta.
“He does a really valuable job; he is conscientious and reliable. He has told us that now he feels like he can make a proper future for himself and Faye.”
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, and doors are open from 7pm to 10pm.
