Ministry of Sound boss Lohan Presencer warned this week that property developers involved in the multi-billion pound regeneration of Elephant & Castle are hoping to force the closure of the iconic London nightspot.
“The future of the SE1 venue has been put in doubt following a planning application by property developer Oakmayne,” the club announced in a statement posted on their website.
“Oakmayne’s attitude towards preserving the longevity of the club is perhaps best summed up by a comment from its chairman, Christopher Allen, who when questioned gave his opinion that ‘nightclubs come and go’.”
Outlining their vision for the run-down area on their own website, Oakmayne declare ‘our plan is simple: we want to return the heart to Elephant and Castle- to create a place where people travel to, not through’ though Lohan Presencer was distinctly unimpressed.
“When Oakmayne told us that ‘nightclubs come and go”’ we were horrified,” the Ministry CEO continued, “Ministry of Sound is not just any nightclub; it’s the most famous nightclub in the world and the heart of a global entertainment business.”
“These developers have cut corners at every stage and counter to their claims, they do not have the best interests of the local community at heart,” he added, “We must do everything in our power to save our club and our business,” he vowed.
Details of the threat to Ministry’s future emerged just as bulldozers began demolishing legendary Stoke nightclub the Void, to pave the way for a 36-space car park.
During its heyday in the late 90s, the club hosted acclaimed house event Golden, regularly selling out its 1,200 capacity by booking DJs including Sasha and Paul Oakenfold before struggling in the noughties, club owner Paul Walters admitted.
“When bars started to get late licences, no-one wanted to pay £10 to get into a club, and it was costing us in excess of £10,000 to get a DJ for a two-hour set,” he told local newspaper the Staffordshire Sentinel, “It just wasn't viable anymore,” he added. http://tinyurl.com/ydbbeor
http://tinyurl.com/yck83yo (Ministry of Sound’s statement in full)
http://www.oakmayneproperties.com
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