Report
London Fabric to close, after having its licence revoked
Club has the option to appeal a decision made by Islington Council.
London institution Fabric is set to close, after having its license revoked by Islington Council.
The decision follows two drug-related deaths at the club and a voluntary closure in August, and it has been made despite a petition signed by 150,000 people, urging for council to keep Fabric’s doors open.
Islington Council rules that club-goers had been “inadequetely searched”, that in relation to both deaths, “The extent of the drug use was such that security and staff would have or should have been able to observe not only the use of drugs but also the effect of drug use on a large number of patrons and these groups in particular.” The ruling calls security at the venue “grossly inadequate.”
Scotland Yard has confirmed the ruling, adding that police “felt the need to act due to concerns about the safety of those attending the club due to the supply of class-A drugs in the venue and the recent deaths of two young men.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan had previously pledged his determination to prevent the closure of one of the city’s most “iconic clubs,” but City Hall had no jurisdiction to intervene on this case.
His official statement says: “London’s iconic clubs are an essential part of our cultural landscape. Clubbing needs to be safe but I’m disappointed that Fabric, Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police were unable to reach agreement on how to address concerns about public safety.
“As a result of this decision, thousands of people who enjoyed going to Fabric as an essential part of London’s nightlife will lose out. The issues faced by Fabric point to a wider problem of how we protect London’s night-time economy, while ensuring it is safe and enjoyable for everyone. Over the past eight years, London has lost 50 percent of its nightclubs and 40 percent of its live music venues. This decline must stop if London is to retain its status as a 24-hour city with a world-class nightlife.”
He added: “I am in the process of appointing a Night Czar who will bring together key stakeholders including club and venue owners, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police and members of the public. No single organisation or public body can solve these problems alone – we all need to work together to ensure London thrives as a 24-hour city, in a way that is safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
Response:
Fabric, one of London’s most famous and important venues, will look to appeal the decision in some form. Alan Miller, chair of the Night Time Industries Association, says “Now we have to all unite together” and “take this to the higher decision makers.” He aims to start the Fund For Fabric, a grassroots initiative to keep the club going. “If it wasn’t for places like Fabric, we’d have none of our culture: it’s where we get inspired, where we fall in love,” he said, reports Mixmag.
The closure will result in the loss of 250 staff jobs.
Fabric has issued a statement regarding the decision.
“fabric is extremely disappointed with Islington Council’s decision to revoke our license. This is an especially sad day for those who have supported us, particularly the 250 staff who will now lose their jobs. Closing fabric is not the answer to the drug-related problems clubs like ours are working to prevent, and sets a troubling precedent for the future of London’s night time economy.”
Reaction:
Some of electronic music’s biggest names have reacted in shock and sadness to the ruling.
Featuring Yard Act, Death Cab For Cutie, Graham Coxon, Maisie Peters and more.