Fabric nightclub is to appeal against Islington Council’s decision to permanently revoke its licence.
The appeal is being backed by the Night Time Industries Association, which is bidding to raise £500,000 to help with the London club’s legal fees, reports Mixmag.
The council cited major safety concerns as the key reasons for the closure following the recent drug-related deaths of two teenagers at the nightspot.
"Fabric is extremely disappointed with Islington Council's decision to revoke our licence,” said the club in a statement. “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."
The music community has united behind the Farringdon nightspot in protest at the ruling. “The decision on September 6 on the future of Fabric London isn’t just about one venue – this is about the future of London,” said Tom Sutton-Roberts, general manager at east London’s Troxy. “This is about protecting an institution. This is about London remaining the greatest city in the world. This is about nurturing London as a hive of art, music and culture.
“The night tube will have nothing but the ghosts of London’s clubbing past using it in five years’ time if we don’t act now to protect our livelihoods.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier expressed his “disappointment” at the decision. “London’s iconic clubs are an essential part of our cultural landscape,” said Khan, who last month issued a response to a petition calling on him to safeguard the future of the venue. “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.
“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.”
Digital and culture minister Matt Hancock declared the closure to be “very sad” – but declined to intervene in the decision to shut it down.
