Basildon's Unit 7 is set to defy Government guidance and reopen without people needing vaccine passports, bosses have announced.

Bosses at Reform UK which runs the club at Festival Leisure Park said vaccination passports would create a barrier to getting the industry back on its feet.

At the Downing Street press conference on Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged venues to use the vaccine passport scheme “as a matter of social responsibility”.

A spokesperson from REKOM UK, which operates Unit 7, said: “Given the age profile of our customers, we believe that asking for vaccination passports would create a barrier to both customer enjoyment and getting the industry back on its feet.

“We will operate entry in the same way pubs are currently doing.

“We’re able to open in this way because nightclubs in particular are among the best equipped venues in the hospitality sector, and indeed were even prior to the pandemic, for the exact safety measures that are required to reduce the spread of the virus.

“These include air ventilation systems in all our venues which change air every five minutes on average, sanitisation stations throughout all our clubs, increased frequency of cleaning schedules compared to before the pandemic, and highly trained staff and experienced door staff who are well-versed in crowd management protocols.

“Together, these measures mean that clubs, such as Unit 7, are well placed to open and provide unforgettable nights out once again.”