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Fabric confirms another weekend closure, Sadiq Khan urges positive outcome for the venue

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 17 August 2016

London club Fabric has issued a statement confirming that it will be closed again this week, due to the ongoing investigation into two recent drug-related deaths at the venue and the pending review of its licence.

As previously reported, all events last weekend were cancelled after two eighteen year old men died from drug overdoses at the club, one in June and one earlier this month. Last year the club fought off attempts by the local Islington council to impose tough new security measures on the venue. But on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement that Fabric’s licence had now been suspended by the council, with a review to be carried out within 28 days.

Clearly hoping to re-open sooner rather than later, the club yesterday only committed to cancelling its most imminent events, saying in a statement: “Further to the statement issued by the MPS last Friday, we can confirm that our operation remains suspended. The club will therefore be closed again this weekend”.

It said that a further statement would be posted “when we have more information”, but for the moment, tickets for this weekend would be refunded.

In the meantime, many in the electronic music scene have been urging London mayor Sadiq Khan to step in to ensure the venue’s future. As a candidate for mayor, Khan vowed to support and protect the capital’s clubbing and live music scenes. This situation, various commenters noted, was a real test of Khan’s commitment to that promise.

Artists such as Chase & Status, Skream, Leftfield, Daniel Avery, Artwork and others tweeted their support for Fabric as news of its uncertain future became clearer.

Addressing Khan directly, Avery said: “Dear Sadiq Khan, if ever there was an opportunity to make a mark, here it is. Fabric needs your help, man. Without Fabric I wouldn’t be doing this now. The club has supported underground music on a large scale every single weekend for over fifteen years. The cultural significance of institutions like Fabric should never be underestimated”.

Artwork also wrote to Khan directly, saying: “I voted for you for your views on London club life. Now please do something about Fabric”.

Responding to Artwork’s tweet, Khan said that he is “urging Fabric, the Met and Islington to find an approach that protects clubbers’ safety and the future of the club”.

The exact extent of that urging isn’t clear, though it does show that he is at least thinking about the matter.