Fabric reopening talks 'at advanced stage' after secret negotiations

After having it’s licence revoked earlier this year, London’s iconic fabric nightclub is in “advanced discussions” with Islington council and the London Met in a deal which could see it reopen its doors, according to the Islington Tribune. 

The venue lost its licence following the drug-related deaths of two clubbers in June and August, a decision which was met with strong opposition, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a 160,000 signature petition and the #saveourculture campaign to fund the venue’s legal fight has raised £320,000.

Fabric had planned to appeal the decision in Highbury Magistrates Court at the end of the month, but these discussions signal an intent to come to an out-of-court agreement. The Islington Tribune goes on to report that a deal could be reached as early as next week if those leading the negotiations can get a judge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to rubber-stamp the agreement. 

Fabric have submitted a document detailing their safety measures, as well as suggesting 32 new licence conditions which would mean the club would operate “to a gold standard” should it re-open. It’s not exactly clear what these conditions would involve, as anyone who has visited the venue recently will attest, Fabric already ran some of the tightest security measures in the capital.

Still, given the last few months have been an unrelenting slurry of bad news, Fabric’s possible return represents a tiny glimmer of hope. It could even potentially set a precedent for other venues facing similar threats of closure. Maybe some aspect of London’s nightlife could be salvaged from the abyss, even saved. Fingers crossed.