The Cable team today released this exclusive video of the day Network Rail seized possession of the venue.
The industry has been awash with questions about how this could have happened to such a long respected venue in the Capital. A few have also been pondering why the team did not relocate 4 years ago when they found out about the expansions… It seems as is always the case in these situations – there is always another side to the story.
We at Plain & Simple offer the whole amazing team our condolences and support and wish them all the best in new endeavours. We’re certain the spirit of Cable will live on, in one form or another.
Show your support on their facebook page: www.facebook.com/cableofficial and we also urge you to tag/ tweet Network Rail (@networkrail and @networkrailpr) and Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) letting them know your disgust about this situation.. A situation which has seen an incredible music venue lost once again to Developers (when so few remain now as it is), tell them you think the way it was handled was atrocious, and remind them that 70 or so people have lost their jobs – all probably for the sake of installing a couple more bagel carts in London Bridge station.
This is yet another example of the Establishment’s blinkered thinking when creativity, expression and dare we say youth comes up against cold hard Capitalism. It was venues such as Cable with its vast cross over of musical genres, ages and cultural divide that kept the young (and old) off the streets and doing something highly enjoyable to pass the time and lift their spirits… We live in a country which frequently, and for many, is a miserable existence of drudgery in these times of austerity and low employment. They may see it as “just a nightclub” but as per they fail to see the bigger picture of what venues across the Capital provide to us all.
A new press release from the team is also below…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY 3RD MAY 2013
Network Rail forces closure of prestigious underground club, Cable
One of London’s biggest nightclubs, Cable in London Bridge, has been forced to close with the loss of 70 jobs as landlords Network Rail took possession for the redevelopment of London Bridge station.
The 1,300 capacity venue in SE1 has exploded in popularity and reputation, to become one of London’s top three club brands alongside Ministry of Sound and Fabric. Cable, and sister venue Relay which has also been closed, boasted over 300,000 fans in 100 countries to their online radio & TV channels and has played host to thousands of today’s most prolific Electronic Dance Music DJs, artists and producers.
Since opening in 2009 Cable has drawn over 700,000 clubbers to the venue, building a reputation for its cutting edge line-ups, incredible sound system and warehouse vibe. Following Network Rail’s closure, the release of Cable’s first compilation albums, and the launch of their DJ agency and global events divisions have had to be shelved.
Six years ago, Cable founder Euan Johnston – who also founded the legendary SeOne venue in Weston Street – was approached by Network Rail with a proposal to develop a series of derelict, leaking and uninhabitable arches located on the most fashionable street in London – Bermondsey Street – situated 500 metres from London Mayor, Boris Johnson’s office, and a stones throw from The Shard.
Having been given assurances by Network Rail that the space would not be affected by the regeneration of London Bridge station, Cable invested millions in the development of the venue and launch of the brand only to be told some years later that plans had changed.
After one division of Network Rail actively encouraged the development of the space, another division approved plans to build emergency stairs directly through the middle of the venue. Network Rail had other options for the staircases available to them, but chose the only option that would destroy the club.
Euan Johnston, Director at Cable, said: “We are totally shocked and devastated that this could have happened. We were assured when we moved in that we would not be affected by the redevelopment and Network Rail have simply changed their minds – the worst thing is there is nothing we can do to prevent it. We have invested a huge amount of time and energy developing the space and growing Cable as a brand, not to mention employing 70 staff who now face redundancy.”
Cable has tried every means possible to reach a compromise with Network Rail in the hope they would change plans and avoid closure of the club, culminating in issuing a Judicial Review against the entry notice which is yet to be determined. However the possession could not be prevented and Network Rail arrived in force on 1st May with bailiffs equipped with battering rams and angle grinders in preparation to force entry. The directors and shareholders are committed to continue the fight for justice as a result of the destruction of Cable carried out by Network Rail.
“The way Network Rail have treated us is a disgrace, we have been brushed aside by people from Network Rail at every level right up to Chief Executive Sir David Higgins” added Mr Johnston. “They simply don’t care and are not interested in having any meaningful discussion at all, they are apparently the country’s biggest small business landlord, but let this be a warning to other tenants of Network Rail that whatever agreement you have with them may mean nothing if they want to bulldoze you”
Cable was officially notified on 1st April 2011 by Network Rail that the cable site is to be included in the redevelopment of London Bridge despite the previous assurances given by Network Rail that the club would not be affected.
Cable’s closure is a further blow to London’s clubbing culture after other key clubs such as Turnmills, SeOne, The End and The Cross were all closed due to developers. London is short of top-quality underground clubs, which are an essential boost to culture and tourism at a time when Electronic Music is exploding worldwide. Visitor numbers to cities such as Berlin have surged due to their uber-cool club scene and the city of Zurich actively promotes its underground clubbing scene alongside established culture in a global TV campaign, yet the UK authorities seem content to let this important part of British culture be resigned to the history books.
