Islington’s iconic venue Fabric is the latest victim in an institutional war waged against youth culture, the greatest giant to be felled yet. In the early hours of Wednesday 7th September the unofficial decision to close Fabric became official following a revoking of their license. Make no mistake, this decision was predetermined, the impassioned pleas of the owners, a raft of DJ’s and a petition of 150,000 wholly in vain. This was the conspiring of an underfunded council in cahoots with the Metropolitan Police, their aim being to seek the possibility of corporate investment. The drugs and the deaths were merely a vehicle hijacked for this cause. The name given to the operation, ‘Lenor’, speaks volumes.
What does this mean for Leeds? If West Yorkshire Police need an opportunity, the search policy in Leeds’ warehouse scene leaves a lot to be desired in comparison to Fabric. Do our local councils need money? It would appear so, Leeds’ roads have the biggest backlog of repairs in the country, whilst arts funding in the city is in the process of being cut by £500,000. Would our local politicians be as callous and heinous to manipulate distressing events over the last few years, such as the rape of a student at Pryzm, or the beating to near death of a man outside Mission? I should hope not, but this is merely conjecture.
One key difference between Leeds and London which may alleviate such fears is the proportion of the population who are students. The local authorities know that to close clubs would have a devastating effect on the local economy, that students would not be drawn here for its nightlife, as so many are, and the city would suffer for it. Whereas Islington and wider London can charge extortionate rents, and trade nightclubs for trendy bars, Leeds cannot do so. Without tempting fate, Leeds clubs should be safe from Fabric’s demise, indeed, this may even be a catalyst for more growth on our local club scene, with people looking for alternatives to the capital. Our city could certainly rise to the challenge.
Reece Parker
Image: mixmag.net