NEWS: Plastic People Faces License Review

Sign the KEEP PLATIC PEOPLE ALIVE online petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/PP2010/petition.html

The dark cave like womb of Plastic People's dance floor, lit by that one iconic red light (pictured), is one of those places its easy to feel completely comfortable. Ever since I first went there, traveling the width of London to go to a night where you could get your own tracks played on one of the UKs most respected soundsystems (later I learned about the incredible heritage the CDR nights have amongst hip hop folk), its been one of those places you get incredibly excited to see people play.

Personally, I've never attended religiously enough to become part of the bar's furniture, but Ihave had some of my most musical epiphanies there. Hudson Mohawke and Nosaj Thing's respective launch parties spring immediately to mind but the first time Joker, Starkey, Untold played there are landmarks in my history and I don't think they would've been half as memorable had it not been for the (literal) warmth, and power of the sound system packed into the recesses of that tiny room.

Now, unless you're twitter/facebook ignorant you'll have undoubtedly seen that the police are threatening to review Plastic People's license on the grounds that the way the management have been operating the club has breached the existing terms of its licence and failed to prevent crime and disorder and public nuisance.

Here is the management's official statement:

The notice outside the club’s premises will be there till the 11th March, which is the closing date for representations to be made by ‘interested parties’ for or against the closure or any other outcome of the review.

After the 11th, the licensing department at Hackney Council will, within 10 days, write to all parties concerned to invite them to a sub-committee hearing on a given date at a given address where they would make their case. That hearing should take place by the 31st of March.

It would then be up to the Committee to decide on the eventual outcome which could be one or more of these:

(a) To revoke the license altogether;
(b) To suspend the license for a period not exceeding three months;
(c) To modify the conditions of the license;

Once a decision has been made, we would be notified and in the worst case scenario, we would have the option of appealing, but our current aim is to work with the Police and the Licensing Authority to find a solution that is satisfactory to all.

A collection of people involved in the club are setting up a Committee called Friends of Plastic People. They will gather people’s experiences of working with and attending Plastic People over the years. They will meet this week and no doubt they will let you know how you can help.

I would urge everyone to hold back on making representations to the Police or the Council in the meantime, but by all means carry on spreading the word.

So for the lack of a better phrase, keep your eyes peeled for word on how you can help register your dismay at one of LDN's most potent music institutions, home of FWD>>, CDR, Warm and Medium amongst numerous other nights, being under threat.

Join the KEEP PLASTIC PEOPLE ALIVE facebook group here to keep up to date.

*UPDATE*

Sign the KEEP PLATIC PEOPLE ALIVE online petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/PP2010/petition.html

Until then, you can catch Medium's 3rd birthday party at Plastic tonight and welcome back the return of FWD>> to Thursday nights next week.

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Photo: Shaun Bloodworth