An Islington councillor has accused the town hall of showing “no confidence” in its own licensing policy after the decision to close Farringdon club Fabric was overturned in court.
In September, Islington’s licensing sub-committee shut Fabric after the deaths of two 18-year-olds who had taken MDMA in the Charterhouse Street club.
This decision was reversed in Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court last month, after Fabric and the council agreed strict new drug and entry policies.
At a meeting of the council on Thursday, documents show Clerkenwell Cllr Raphael Andrews will ask: “Why has the council taken the unprecedented decision to overturn the licencing-sub committee decision and failed to consult local people who live in the area, and shown no confidence in its licensing sub-committee?
“The regulations state when the police bring a review on crime and disorder grounds, and the conditions have been breached, then the sub-committee should revoke the licence.”
At September’s meeting, Cllr Andrews was on the verge of tears when he pleaded with the committee to close the club. Thursday’s meeting starts at 7.30pm.
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