The Arches’ former Glasgow nightclub is to be reborn. FLY Open Air Festival, Watch Tower group are breathing new life and music into the former derelict underground, below Glasgows train station. Founder Tom Ketley calls the project New World. It will host a series of nine dance music events, all to be headlined by some of the UK’s most renowned and dexterous DJs.
Tom said in a recent interview, “ There’s loads of people that actually haven’t been to the venue.” “I Think previous clubbers are to want to return and the young generation are going to come back. Thats why we’ve given it the name New World, so that we can get that new experience again.”
It has been eight years since The Arches has proudly held music events. Due to a number of alleged drug and alcohol-related incidents reported by the police, a new nightclub licencing curfew was introduced in Glasgow. It meant that all clubs were to stop selling alcohol and close at midnight. The previous owner said that it lost up to 50% of its revenue and the business sadly went into administration.
Tom has been in communication with the Scotland Police and shared the Watch Tower group’s zero-tolerance drug policy and has agreed on a new licencing curfew of 2am. He said “Obviously, there’s been tragic news in recent weeks. We’ve worked very closely with Police Scotland on our drug policy. We have a zero tolerance drug policy and our message is clear. You know, drugs are illegal and we do not expect people to bring drugs to the venue.
He continued, “We were training with a pure market leader in harm reduction, and we will be working closely with all of them on this and that the event is to ensure that everyone comes to our events and they have a safe and fun time.”
This historic building, situated below the central railway station, was further used from February 2018 as a food market, called Platform, offering a variety of eateries.
Glasgow city is world famous for its legendary music scene. It is internationally recognised as Scotland’s music capital with over half a million people enjoying gigs in its iconic venues every year. And New World is set to join the party with a show-stopping headline by DJ’s.
Tom added, “This project is of huge cultural significance for music in Glasgow, Scotland and beyond. Seeing the unfortunate closure of numerous venues in recent years has been hard on the industry. The venue’s history is renowned, and it holds a special place in people’s hearts, so we know that today’s news will mean so much to so many.”
No announcements have been made as to who will be performing; however, you can visit the Glasgow New World website and sign up to receive the latest news and updates.
