London nightclub Fabric is currently closed indefinitely after two teenagers died there within two months due to drug overdoses. The long-running club is now facing permanent closure after having its license suspended by the Islington Council. In order to comply with the council and police investigations, it has shut down operations until further notice. The decision to re-open will be made on September 6th.
Meanwhile, the club has opened a petition as part of the #savefabric campaign. The petition highlights the club’s cultural importance and urges London mayor Sadiq Khan and Islington Council to allow the club to re-open. It also conveys a heartfelt message about club’s culture – “that no matter how old you are, rich or poor, color or gender, you are welcome in the club and you will be looked after. It’s like a big family”.
In light of these events, Fabric is reevaluating the ways in which it can reduce harm and prevent drug-related incidents. The nightclub currently has a system in which any confiscated drugs go to police. Fabric has been recognized for an effective treatment with regard to drug-related matters, stating “we have zero tolerance to drugs on the premises and, as recently as December last year, we were described by District Judge in a court judgment as a ‘beacon of best practice’ in managing this issue”.
Fabric was founded in 1999 and consists of three separate rooms with a capacity for 2,500 people. Recognized internationally and awarded best in the world by DJ magazine, there is little doubt that Fabric is a cultural icon. Let’s hope these matters can be resolved in an appropriate manner, while maintaining the ethos that club-goers have enjoyed for years.
Photo Credit: Fabric
