Sadiq Khan on Fabric closure: Mayor ‘disappointed’ in Met Police and Islington Council decision - ‘thousands will lose out’

Mr Khan promised to safeguard London's nightlife if elected mayor

(Getty)

While campaigning to become Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan declared: “I don’t want young and creative Londoners abandoning our city to head to Amsterdam, to Berlin, to Prague where clubs are supported and allowed to flourish.

“I want them to be able to celebrate what they love in the city that they love, rather than punish them or force their activities underground or abroad. That is why, if elected London Mayor, I will address these problems head on.”

It will come as a blow to him then, that Fabric was permanently closed last night, an iconic club that draws revellers from across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

Mr Khan previously tweeted that he hoped the club would be reopened following its temporary closure pending investigation, and today he doubled down on his disappointment over the fate of the club.

His statement in full:

“London’s iconic clubs are an essential part of our cultural landscape. Clubbing needs to be safe but I’m disappointed that Fabric, Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police were unable to reach agreement on how to address concerns about public safety.

“As a result of this decision, thousands of people who enjoyed ‎going to Fabric as an essential part of London's nightlife will lose out. The issues faced by Fabric point to a wider problem of how we protect London’s night-time economy, while ensuring it is safe and enjoyable for everyone. Over the past eight years, London has lost 50 percent of its nightclubs and 40 percent of its live music venues. This decline must stop if London is to retain its status as a 24-hour city with a world-class nightlife.

“I am in the process of appointing a Night Czar who will bring together key stakeholders including club and venue owners, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police and members of the public. No single organisation or public body can solve these problems alone – we all need to work together to ensure London thrives as a 24-hour city, in a way that is safe and enjoyable for everyone.”‎

Fabric’s fate is pretty much sealed now, though a campaign is already underway to try and find a way to save it.