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Music

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Urges Authorities to Find a Way to Keep Fabric Open

Khan tweeted his support for a resolution after DJs and musicians asked for his intervention.
Photo of Sadiq Khan via Wikimedia Commons.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has spoken out in support of fabric nightclub. Fabric closed this past weekend and its license has been suspended for 28 days pending an investigation into the suspected drug-related deaths of two 18-year-old men.

Members of the nightlife community across the UK and the rest of the world appealed to the mayor to intervene on the club's behalf, including Sasha, Skream, Daniel Avery and Scuba.

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— Oliver Jones (@I_Skream)August 16, 2016

Please — Richy Ahmed (@Richy_Ahmed)August 16, 2016

Dear — Daniel Avery (@danielmarkavery)August 16, 2016

Hey — Scuba (@ScubaOfficial)August 16, 2016

Please — George FitzGerald (@georgefitzmusic)August 16, 2016

In response to their concerns, Khan appealed to London's Metropolitan Police and Islington Council (the local authority for the neighborhood in which fabric is located) for a solution that would ensure safety for guests while also supporting the club's future.

I'm urging — Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon)August 16, 2016

Khan made the support of London's nightlife a priority in his mayoral campaign. "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," Khan told Dazed magazine in April when he was running for office. "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."

It remains to be seen what, if anything, Khan will be able to do to reopen the club while it is under investigation from the Metropolitan Police. As of now, fabric remains closed.

In May, THUMP discussed how mayors like Khan help nourish nightlife in cities.