Fabric nightclub to appeal against decision to revoke licence

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/08/london-nightclub-fabric-to-appeal-decision-to-revoke-licence

Version 0 of 1.

One of London’s biggest nightclubs will appeal against a council’s decision to revoke its licence, it has been confirmed.

Fabric nightclub, based in Farringdon, faces closure after Islington council concluded that it had a “culture of drug use” which staff were “incapable of controlling”. A spokesman for the venue confirmed that it had decided to appeal against the council’s decision, made in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The closure of the club has been met with fierce criticism by both politicians and figures from the world of music. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “disappointed” that an agreement had not been reached between Fabric, Islington council and the Metropolitan police. British DJ Goldie threatened to melt down his MBE in protest, while Saul Milton, one half of electronic duo Chase & Status, branded it “madness”.

The club closed temporarily after the deaths of two teenagers from suspected drug overdoses earlier this year, and last month the Met applied to the council for the licence to be reviewed. The venue’s licence was reviewed in 2014 following four deaths, Islington council said.

Following the announcement, Fabric said shutting the venue was “not the answer to the drug-related problems” and set “a troubling precedent” for London’s nightlife.

A spokesman for Islington council said: “The problems seen during the 2014 review of Fabric’s licence have not been adequately addressed, which has resulted in further tragedy and crime. In light of all the circumstances, the subcommittee decided that revocation was both appropriate and proportionate.”