Fabric nightclub to appeal revocation of licence: report

One of the best-known nightclubs in London is to appeal Islington Council’s decision to revoke its licence, it has been reported.

The Mixmag site said an appeal would be backed by the Night Time Industries Association, which has set up a Fund for Fabric campaign and hopes to raise up to £500,000 to help with the club's legal fees.

Alexander Proud, NTIA Deputy Chair, told Mixmag that the money raised will "keep fabric going until the appeal and make sure that we have the best QC [senior lawyer] in the world working for us and winning this case, which we will do.”

The decision by Islington’s Licensing Sub-Committee was taken earlier this week.

A council spokesperson said: “The Metropolitan Police applied for a review of Fabric’s licence after the deaths of two 18-year-olds at the club in June and August. This came after a previous licence review in 2014, following four deaths.

“Islington Council’s licensing sub-committee heard evidence that both 18-year-olds who died this summer had taken MDMA in Fabric, and had bought the drugs in Fabric.

“The sub-committee also heard evidence that on both occasions the young men who died and their friends were able to conceal drugs on their person and get through the search and entry system, and that people entering the club were inadequately searched.”

The spokesperson said existing conditions on Fabric’s licence to prevent serious crime had not been observed.

“A culture of drug use exists at the club which the existing management and security appears incapable of controlling,” they claimed.

“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 sub-committee decided that revocation was both appropriate and proportionate.”

The interim steps suspending Fabric’s licence remain in place pending any final determination of any appeal.

In a statement on its website, Fabric said: “We are extremely disappointed with Islington Council's decision to revoke our licence. 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.

“We want to also say a huge thank you to the support we received, 150,000 of you signed the petition to support us and London’s nightlife. All of our community – fellow promoters, artists, venues, friends, magazines, blogs, ravers all our family have backed us online offering up their platforms and resources – we have been deeply touched by seeing you all rally together behind us.

“It’s too early to comment on what our next step will be, but for now we have asked Resident Advisor to issue refunds for all the upcoming events we have sold tickets for.”