Fabric nightclub is confirmed to reopen after having reached a settlement with Islington Council. Judge Robin McPhee made the final decision stating that he was “satisfied that the council and Fabric pulled together to get a set of workable conditions to prevent drug use”.
Fabric had its license revoked back in September following the drug-related deaths of two people.
The club released this statement on its Facebook page yesterday:
“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.
We’ll be back with some news about #saveourculture and our next steps when we can.”
The agreement, which was approved by a judge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, includes the following provisions:
• The use of a new ID scanning system on entry to the club.
• Enhanced searching procedures and controls.
• Covert surveillance within the club.
• Lifetime bans for anyone found in possession of drugs, whether on entry or within the club.
• Lifetime bans for anyone trying to buy drugs in the club.
• Enhanced monitoring and external auditing for compliance against procedures.
• Physical changes to the club, including improved lighting and additional CCTV provision.
• A new security company.
• Persons under 19 years of age shall not be permitted to be on the premises as a customer or guest from 8pm on a Friday until 8am on the following Monday or on any day during the hours that the operators promote a Core Club Night.
The Islington Council/Fabric statement says: “Fabric accepts that its procedures in relation to searching were insufficient, as were its procedures to prevent the consumption and dealing of drugs within the club itself.
“Fabric accepts that the police acted reasonably in making the application for a review and that the authority’s sub-committee was fully entitled to revoke its licence.”
Check out footage from one of the #savefabric protests that took place across London below.
