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Report - - Dukes Genesis Nightclub, Chelmsford, January 2016 | Leisure Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Dukes Genesis Nightclub, Chelmsford, January 2016

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urbexdevil

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Slowly adding a few of my recent ones here, hopefully got your format correct this time...

Without even realizing this place had shut down in 2012 and with the odd few hazy memories from back in my college days, I woke up to a tip off that this place was now accessible. Gathering every detail I could and messaging the usual local explorers, myself and Tiny Urban Exploration were at the site the very same day.

After a slightly amusing issue with some totally unrelated security for the adjacent building, we were in the grounds and through a huge hole punched in the walls by the main dance floor by recent demolition works. Nothing much is left of either of the clubs other than the DJ stand and the bars, however there was surprisingly equipment left sitting around the site everywhere with the famous Dukes money littered everywhere. Even the dance floors themselves have been ripped up.

We were pleasantly surprised to find some apartments at the front of the building which were still full of the previous occupants belongings. Slightly more bizarrely though; letters dating back to the 1980’s and written in German too! Not what we were expecting to find at a nightclub at all but certainly an awesome find, especially to pre-date the club itself.

Many locals know the history of Dukes Genesis but here’s the history on the place, based on memory and information pieced together from various news articles.

Opened by Lou Manzi and Robert Bartella in 1982 and closing in 2012, Dukes Genesis (Formerly the Lion and Lamb pub) played a pivotal role in shaping the nightlife of tens of thousands of people in Essex and beyond as well as playing host to many famous names including Sean Kingston and Dappy (N-Dubz).

The club consisted of two clubs within one; Dukes Genesis being the main and Decadence in it’s own separate upper floor.

A combination of the smoking ban, and the 24-hour drinks license are rumored to be blamed for bringing about the closure.

Enough of the reading now, onto the pictures. I took a lot of snaps at this place so here's my favourite ones anyway...

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Dave563

Some things are best left untouched!
28DL Full Member
Love the photos! Loved this place, always went from when I was old enough until the night it shut, will be missed. Changed my lifestyle after closure. Don't enjoy going clubbing like I used to anymore :(
 

urbexdevil

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Love the photos! Loved this place, always went from when I was old enough until the night it shut, will be missed. Changed my lifestyle after closure. Don't enjoy going clubbing like I used to anymore :(

Sure was an awesome place, im still surprised it closed to be honest. I always thought it was doing well.
 

Dave563

Some things are best left untouched!
28DL Full Member
Apparently the club scene Is dying off and it's all about bars now.. " apparently " any club you do go to now it just isn't the same
 

urbexdevil

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Apparently the club scene Is dying off and it's all about bars now.. " apparently " any club you do go to now it just isn't the same

True I guess thinking about it, It's been years since I set foot in a club (at least that was open ;)). I'm probably one of the culprits really, I spend a lot of time at weather spoons and such instead purely on the fact it's cheaper and seams to be more lively.
 

GinjaNinja

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
I live just around the corner to here and thought it was still open actually. How many others are shut or destined to close due to the smoking ban etc?
Zero 6, Raquels, Dukes, the must have been the unholy trinity of Essex clubs.
Thanks for the report, I might even have a look before they pull it down or convert it to flats. Lots of redevelopment going on in Chelmo at the moment.
 

Brioche

28DL Member
28DL Member
Hi, great pictures looks like a great location. I'm looking to get into here with a couple of friends as we like to go exploring around Essex. If you don't mind me asking, where is the hole in the wall to get in and is there any alarms inside the building, got stopped by police when we set of the alarms at Tanners Milk Factory, Sible Hedingham.
 

Dave563

Some things are best left untouched!
28DL Full Member
The actual club has been knocked down and is now a car park. But the front part which was Decadence still remains.
 
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