Fabric Release Statement: “We’ll Be The Gold Standard For Safe Clubbing”
Fabric nightclub have released a full statement in response to their recent closure at the hands of Islington police. In the statement, club director and co-founder Cameron Leslie pointed out that closing Fabric would be taking the first steps to closing down London's nightlife for good, and reiterated the venue's undoubted strong commitment to drug prevention.
“The safety of our customers has always been our number one priority," Leslie writes.
"Any suggestion that we are not 100% committed to tackling drugs on the premises is completely false.
“We were pioneering in the way in which we worked hand in hand with the council and police when we opened 17 years ago. We established honest and transparent procedures never before seen, something we are incredibly proud of.
“Closing fabric will be the beginning of the end for clubbing in London, which is already under threat. In light of recent tragic events, we’re independently reviewing all our processes and have already proposed substantial changes to the police and to Islington Council – our aim is to set a new industry gold standard for safe clubbing.
“Venues like fabric face huge challenges in tackling drugs but as an experienced operator, with a strong track record and which is willing to invest, we are best placed to pioneer new ways of working that will keep people safer. We hope the council and the police will support these efforts on the 6th and allow us to remain open.”
At the same time, long time Fabric DJ and promoter Jacob Husley has written an open letter in response to London mayor Sadiq Khan's half heartyed support for Fabric to remain open. Husley started the petition to keep the club open – now at near 100,000 signatures.
"I’m sure I can speak for all of us when I say thank you for taking your time to respond to my letter," Husley wrote in response to Khan.
"It means a lot that you’re listening to us and showing your support. However, (and again I’m sure I speak for most) I’m disappointed that you chose to link to the Islington Gazette article which referred to dubious and unsubstantiated claims against fabric."
"It undermines not only the very important issue at hand but also your own supposedly good intentions.
"The report is full of potentially damaging, unfounded claims, especially about the integrity of fabric’s search and security team. fabric’s door searches are renowned for their thoroughness to the point that they are criticised for being invasive. Also, presenting an observation by a single witness that 80% of club goers were under the influence of drugs as fact is not something that I think the Mayor’s office should endorse as credible."
"It’s just so disappointing to have this lack of understanding that no matter how well you search you cannot stop people smuggling drugs into licenced premises – even maximum security prisons are rife with drugs."
You can read the rest of Husley's response on the Change.org petition -and maybe even sign the petition while you're there
