The Islington Tribune has reported that, two months after the club closed following the drug-related deaths of two 18-year old girls, Fabric’s lawyers have been in ‘secret talks’ with police and the council about an agreement which could see the club reopen.
The news comes ahead of an appeal hearing which is due to take place on November 28th at Highbury Magistrates Court. This may now not be required if the reports of ‘secret talks’ are accurate. Cameron Leslie, co-owner of the club, told The Islington Tribune that he was ‘not at liberty to say whether [discussions] are being had or not’, citing the ‘non-disclosure’ agreements that the parties have entered in to. However, he did comment on the potential for the club to reopen, saying, ‘I hope so. We wouldn’t have appealed otherwise.’ The Town Hall refused to comment, with a council spokesman merely stating, ‘We don’t have any other comment ahead of the appeal, beyond our statement from September.’ Despite this, The London Evening Standard has described the talks as ‘advanced.’
When Fabric closed in September, the reaction from the music world included sorrow, outrage and determination. This determination included the launch of a petition which has since gained 150,000 signatures and supporters of the campaign have also raised in excess of £300,000 to contribute to Fabric’s legal costs. It also included a 111-track compilation album, released by the club involving collaboration between Fabric Records and artist-led Houndstooth. Fabric released a statement following the closure which read, ‘The closure of fabric has seen a reaction that has been completely humbling and overwhelming to all of us on the team. This response perfectly encapsulates everything the electronic music community represents.’
Big names in the music world spoke out when the news broke in September, Chase and Status tweeted that, ‘Our culture has been torn apart with the closing of @fabriclondon & every club with serious history & importance in London #FabricReview.’ Groove Armada also took to Twitter to voice their anger, writing, ‘Islington council should hang their heads in shame.’ Jessie Ware paid tribute to Fabric’s significance, writing, ‘So sad about Fabric closing. Earliest clubbing memories and such an important club for london.’ Drum n’ Bass pioneer Goldie was particularly outraged and threatened to melt down his MBE in protest with Fatboy Slim, Professor Green and the Chemical Brothers all adding their voices to the support for Fabric.
Although the loss of Fabric was mourned in and of itself, many campaigners also voiced concerns that this was a wider problem affecting London’s music scene. The Guardian reports that in the last eight years, over half of London’s clubs have closed. Sadiq Khan, who campaigned to keep Fabric open and expressed his disappointment at the closure, said that this would have to change, ‘if London is to retain its status as a 24-hour city with a world-class nightlife.’
Well now it appears there may be hope for the campaign and for all those who have expressed dismay and anger at the closure. The London Evening Standard reports that the initial appeal date may now become an occasion to ‘rubber stamp’ any deal that is reached between the parties involved. MxdwnUK will keep you updated as the situation develops.
