Photo: Press
One of Glasgow's most celebrated nightclubs The Arches has lost it's late license, putting its future in doubt and causing tens of thousands of supporters to protest.
On 15 May, Glasgow City Council revoked the nightclub license for the original Scottish superclub following a series of incidents about drug misuse and alcohol offences. Despite protests that measures had been implemented, this would now mean it would have to close by midnight.
Executive director at The Arches Mark Anderson said of the news: "We’re obviously very disappointed with today’s outcome. We will now have to consider our options but the impact of this decision may well result in the closure of one of Europe’s most highly regarded arts venues, and the loss of a key contributor to Glasgow’s night time economy. Not only is it a bad day for the Arches, but the portents do not look good for the wider licensed trade.”
A Change.org petition has been launched in response and has already attracted over 25,000 signatures. DJs from across the musical spectrum have tweeted their support for the club with support coming from Erol Alkan, Hudson Mohawke, Skream, B-Traits and Jackmaster.
One of the greatest clubs we have in the UK is under threat. I'm signing this, please support it too https://t.co/BVvr4GiQG9 #SAVETHEARCHES
— erol alkan (@erolalkan) May 16, 2015
Save The @ArchesGlasgow sign here please https://t.co/WmhHAEhKuG
— Hudson Mohawke (@HudMo) May 15, 2015
Ladies and gents of Glasgow regardless of your taste in music you really need to get behind The Arches
— Oliver Jones (@I_Skream) May 15, 2015
Incredibly disappointing news about The Arches in Glasgow. http://t.co/bQ1NVL55Nz
— B.Traits (@BTraits) May 15, 2015
Everyone needs to please get behind this. https://t.co/AYgmRS2byv The Glasgow club scene may be doomed if we can't get this revoked
— JACKMASTER (@jackmaster) May 15, 2015
The club posted a message on Facebook thanking their supporters: "We have been completely overwhelmed and humbled by everyone's support for The Arches this week. It really does mean everything to us. As you know, we must now adhere to a midnight licensing curfew, which means we need to redefine our financial model. We'll let you know as soon as we can what will happen next. In the meantime, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for letting us know how much The Arches means to you, and for being so passionate and articulate on our behalf."
As previous reported, Glasgow police closed the club in March after a women was found unconscious inside the venue at the weekend and 26 people were reported for drugs and alchohol offences in a single night. Chief inspector Mark Sutherland said of the closure: "I am committed to ensuring the safety of those who socialise within Glasgow City Centre and this closure was absolutely necessary to achieve this."
This is not the first time the club has been brought to the police's attention: in February five people were hospitalised and a 17 year old died after taking a 'Mortal Kombat' pill in the club.
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