London's Fabric nightclub to close amid police concerns over drugs
One of London's biggest nightclubs is to close after its licence was revoked amid police concerns over drugs.
Calls to shut Fabric came after six people died from suspected drug overdoses at the club since 2011.
Last month the Metropolitan Police applied to Islington Council for the licence to be reviewed due to concerns about drugs on the premises and what it described as "concerns about serious crime" associated with the nightclub.
The Farringdon nightspot closed temporarily last month following the deaths of two 18-year-olds from suspected drugs overdoses earlier this year.
On Tuesday night representatives of Fabric gathered at the council to make their case for the popular venue to remain open, while a petition to save it had received almost 150,000 signatures.
DJ Jacob Husley who has worked at the club for eight years said he was surprised by the decision, adding: "We are in shock. I am feeling a mixture of disbelief and anger and sadness."
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, had previously said he was "determined" to do more to protect London's "iconic clubs", but that City Hall did not have the power to intervene in licencing cases like this one.
Instead, Mr Khan urged those involved to "find a common-sense solution that ensures the club remains open while protecting the safety of those who want to enjoy London's clubbing scene".
Mr Husley said he could not say whether the club's owners will appeal but added that he hoped "we are not finished with this".