Club Chemistry has operated in Canterbury since 1987. (It is part of Distinctive Bars Ltd, which also operates Tokyo Tea Rooms.) Club Chemistry operates across three rooms and is the largest venue in the city, serving as a principal nightlife venue for the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University student communities.
The club chose to support Meningitis Now, following the widely publicised outbreak of meningitis in Kent in March 2026. Two staff members were directly affected by this outbreak, and the club has proactively sought to raise awareness of the disease in the weeks that have followed.
Club Chemistry said, “We have been part of Canterbury for nearly 40 years. What happened in March 2026 changed us. Two young people lost their lives to a preventable disease, many more were made very ill, and we will never forget that. Meningitis training is now a standard part of how we bring every new team member on board, ensuring they can recognise the signs and symptoms and understand the importance of acting quickly. Every March, we will hold a Meningitis Now Charity Night, a fundraiser, a platform and a way of making sure this community never forgets and never stops caring. Meningitis Now are an organisation who give meaning to loss, supporting those living with or bereaved by meningitis, funding research and raising awareness of a disease that leaves its mark on everyone it touches. We are proud to be partnered with an organisation that shares our belief that every young person deserves to be protected, supported and cared for."
Louise, CEO, Club Chemistry / Distinctive Bars Limited
“We are delighted to be working with Club Chemistry through this new partnership. Louise and her staff worked positively and proactively in their response to the meningitis outbreak, engaging Public Health and Environmental Health officials, and meeting with Meningitis Now staff to learn as much as they could about disease awareness and prevention. The club has an important role to play in helping young people to feel safe and to be aware of the risks of meningitis, how to prevent it, what to do should they suspect its occurrence. We are so pleased to be working with the club and supporting the staff team through training and meningitis awareness.” - Our Chief Executive, Tom Nutt
