Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has spoken of his disappointment at Islington Council’s decision to shut down Fabric nightclub.
The London nightspot has had its licence permanently revoked after owners were locked in crunch talks with Islington Council for around six hours. The decision was announced just after 1am this morning (September 7).
The council cited major safety concerns as the key reasons for the closure, following the recent drug-related deaths of two young men at the club.
“London’s iconic clubs are an essential part of our cultural landscape,” said Khan (pictured), 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.
“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.”
Khan also called into question the impact the decision could have on the wider music scene in the capital. “Over the past eight years, London has lost 50% of its nightclubs and 40% of its live music venues,” he said. “This decline must stop if London is to retain its status as a 24-hour city with a world-class nightlife.
“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.”
Fabric released the following statement: "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."
