Fabric will reopen.
The Mayor of London has announced. The club was due to appeal its closure at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court next week, but has instead struck a deal with Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police to avoid going to court.
Under the deal, the minimum age for entry has been raised to 19 and anyone found in possession of drugs, or who tries to sell drugs, will be banned for life. Specialist roles at the club have been created to prevent drugs being brought in and a welfare team will be on hand to help anyone showing signs of illness inside, reports the Islington Gazette. ID scanners will also be used on the door.
Lawyers for the club completed the deal with the council in private, leaving district judge Robin McPhee to sign off the policy this afternoon.
Fabric released a statement thanking fans for their support. “We are hugely thankful to be able to confirm the news that we have won our licence back. We owe everything to our supporters. We really would not be here today without your unparalleled support and generosity. So many different people stepped up to put their voices to our cause, artists from all corners of the music community, fellow promoters who have put on huge events from us and clubbers from around the world who all united behind us. We’ve even seen people sporting their #savefabric T Shirts on the other side of this planet showing just how big this thing is.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan revealed the deal in a tweet, thanking “all who helped find a solution that protects the club’s future & keeps clubbers safe”.
Fantastic news. Confirmed that Fabric has reached a new agreement with Islington Council and will reopen. Thank you Islington.
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) 21 novembre 2016
JUST ANNOUNCED: @fabriclondon will reopen. Thanks to all who helped find a solution that protects the club’s future & keeps clubbers safe.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) 21 novembre 2016
Fabric was ordered to close in September after Islington Council’s licensing sub-committee revoked the club’s license following the deaths of two 18-year-olds.
The club has already submitted evidence for the hearing, including statements from former Metropolitan Police chief inspector Adrian Studd and drug welfare expert Professor Fiona Measham, and was in discussion to reopen last week.
Over 150,000 people signed a petition of support after Fabric’s shutdown, and the supporters have since raised over £300,000 towards the club’s legal funds.
This is a massive win for the UK, and worldwide, clubbing community and follows months of campaigning by fans and the dance music industry
