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Abstract

More than 100,000 people have pleaded with the Town Hall to save world-famous Fabric nightclub from closure following two drug-related deaths over the summer.

Police have urged the licensing panel, which meets on Tuesday, to “give serious consideration to revocation of the licence” after the deaths of two 18-year-olds who bought ecstasy at the Farringdon venue, which has been closed since the second death. There have been four other drug deaths since 2011.

Big hitters from the music industry and beyond have come out in support of Fabric, “easily the most culturally important dance music venue in London”. Almost 1,000 pages of letters in support of Fabric have been sent directly to Islington Council and people from all over the world have signed a petition.

“Closing Fabric would be the beginning of the end for clubbing in London, which is already under threat,” said Cameron Leslie, co-founder of the club.

A police dossier submitted to the council claims the club is a “safe haven for the supply and consumption of illegal drugs” with security lacking. They say the venue is known as an easy place to buy ecstasy.

But Caroline Russell, Islington’s sole opposition councillor, criticised the police operation after claims made online that they dubbed their investigation “Operation Lenor”.

“I’m shocked to see these tweets suggesting the police called the Fabric case ‘Operation Lenor’. If that’s true they were effectively running ‘Operation Fabric softener’, which hardly suggests a mature and collaborative approach to tackling illegal drugs.”

A police spokeswoman said they do not comment on operation names and that they are generated randomly.

Mr Leslie refuted the police allegations, but said he wanted to put in place new measures that would mark a “gold standard” for the industry following the two deaths. These are understood to include installing the latest CCTV technology, a stricter search policy and further training for staff.

He said the Charterhouse Street club already had the highest annual security bill of any club in the UK, the highest ratio of security staff, two on-site medics and a fully-equipped medics room.

DJ Terry Francis, who has been a resident at the 2,500-capacity club since it opened in 1999, told the Tribune: “I’ve played in clubs internationally for the 30 years of my career and Fabric for me is a benchmark of quality on all levels. If we were to lose Fabric we’d lose the place with a sound system famous for giving DJs like me the best environment to perform.”

Behind the scenes, it is understood senior Town Hall figures feel Fabric has an issue with credibility after it overturned security measures imposed on it – including ID scanners and sniffer dogs – following two deaths in 2014.

They feel the number of deaths are out of step with comparable London clubs and want to see a serious commitment to change.

The biggest names in dance music and beyond have come out in support of the club, which specialises in house and techno music, since the licence was temporarily suspended after the latest death on August 6.

Big hitters such as Pete Tong and the Chemical Brothers have been joined by Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis.

London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has pledged to protect London’s night­life, responded directly to the petition. “My team have spoken to all involved and I am urging them to find a common sense solution that ensures the club remains open while protecting the safety of those who want to enjoy London’s clubbing scene.”

But he added: “Clubbing needs to be safe. There have been two tragic deaths at Fabric over recent months and there are clearly issues that need addressing.”

Cllr Russell added: “Every death is a tragedy and we need to make sure that every measure possible is taken to protect young people. But I am not convinced that shutting down a club that provides a really important part of London’s night-time economy is the right way to restrict and control the impact of drug use.”

She called on police and the council to work with Fabric on educating young people about the dangers of drugs.

The Green councillor met Fabric management yesterday (Thursday). “I was impressed by their commitment to do everything they can to maximise their potential for detecting drugs and drug use,” she said. The temporary closure has cost the club, with 250 staff, almost £400,000.

Police reports submitted to the council show that the two teenagers who died, one in June and another in August, were both able to buy class A drug ecstasy inside the club, having already brought drugs in.

A report by Supt Stuart Ryan states that a plain-clothes police officer was offered pills inside the club a week after the first death. “If the premises is permitted to remain open and operating in its current form, there is a strong possibility that further drug-related deaths will occur,” the report adds.