No 'pleasure' for Fabric boss despite club's return

The director of Fabric says he can't be happy despite the nightclub re-opening later after it faced closure.

Islington Council took away the London venue's licence in September after several drugs-related deaths, saying it had a "culture of drug use".

The legendary nightspot will be back in business tonight, but with stricter anti-drug and security rules.

Cameron Leslie told Newsbeat: "I don't think there's any kind of pleasure or relief that we've reached this point."

Tickets for the opening two nights of Fabric have sold out. The line-ups haven't been announced.

Speaking ahead of the club's re-launch, four months after the closure, he added: "We're obviously delighted we're going to be re-opening but I don't think we're going to be looking over this particular chapter with any kind of fond memories.

"There was definitely a belief amongst us that we would be able to get the project back open again.

"But there's been moments when we've been deeply concerned. It would be wrong of me to say otherwise."

Fabric's new rules

• The use of a new ID scanning system on entry to the club.

• Enhanced searching procedures and controls.

• Covert surveillance within the club.

• Life-time bans for anyone found in possession of drugs, whether on entry or within the club.

• Life-time bans for anyone trying to buy drugs in the club.

• Enhanced monitoring and external auditing for compliance against procedures.

• Physical changes to the club, including improved lighting and additional CCTV provision.

• A new security company.

• Persons under 19 years of age shall not be permitted to be on the premises as a customer or guest from 8pm on a Friday until 8am on the following Monday or on any day during the hours that the operators promote a Core Club Night.

Fabric has been empty since it was closed in September

Mr Leslie claims the new rules "won't make Fabric dramatically different" but said reaching the point of agreement between the venue, the council and the police "was pretty intense".

"Like any kind of negotiation there was a lot of back and forward - it was a very, very heavy 10 days."

"The fact we reached the settlement shows there was a willingness on both sides.

"It's my belief there is a strong will on the part of the council and the police to want to see a thriving Fabric. That's what we've got to cling to and hope that is the case.

"I can't look into a crystal ball but it's not been enjoyable for any of us so I just hope we can get on with what we enjoy and do best."

'We can't have young people dying'

Superintendent Nick Davis took part in talks between the club and the council and agreed there was a lot of "to-ing and fro-ing".

"I just need to make that point that nobody at Islington police ever really wanted the club to have to shut down," he told Newsbeat.

"We appreciate what a big club this is and what it means to people. There was no pleasure-taking in any of this.

"But what we needed to see was a cultural change and I think we've really stared to see that."

He added that he "really hopes" the shift from over-18s to over-19s helps with a change in the culture at the club.

"What's caused this is the death of two young people and they were both 18. We move to 19, that may make a difference I really genuinely hope it does.

"It's in no-one's interest to have open drug use and have young people dying. I just wouldn't be doing my job if I let that happen."

Tributes were put outside Fabric when it was forced to close in September

The police previously denied any sort of plan to get the club closed down.

Mr Davis maintained Fabric will only get any extra police attention if there are any "clear breaches of the law or licensing legislation".

"There will be a police presence [on opening night]. They can expect a visit but I think they'd know that but also, so are the other clubs going to get one.

"It would be wrong of us not to show sort of police presence... but as it settles down Fabric will get the same sort of visits they always got, as all the other nightclubs get.

"I wish Cameron and the team all the best in this venture because it's iconic."

See Fabric's tweet: It's true. You saved Fabric

Clubbers, DJs and musicians all campaigned for Fabric's return.

"I think for a lot of people the cultural aspect of what Fabric represents and the discussion of the decline of clubland in London was bought into sharp focus," adds Mr Leslie.

"We can only take that as a massive statement of intent all round.

"I hope Fabric is just a part of that change in narrative."

Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat