Friday, June 12, 2015

40,000 And Counting...


On the same week that Glasgow saw gigs from the likes of Patti Smith (see below), Blur and Fleetwood Mac, we also witnessed the closure of a venue that has made a huge contribution to Glasgow's artistic, social and cultural life over the last 25 years. In April this year Glasgow's Licensing Board took the decision to remove the club's late hours licence, which effectively ended the club nights which funded the artistic programming of the venue, leading to the inevitable decision earlier this week to place The Arches into administration. No-one is denying that there has been a large number of drug related incidents at the club over the years and no-one is trying to downplay the seriousness of these incidents, but no club has taken the level of measures that The Arches have taken to try to address this with the strictest code of care of any club in Glasgow. Ironically it was The Arches own reporting to the police about the drug related incidences that formed the basis of the report that led to this week's decision by The Licensing Board. The Arches is well known and respected, throughout the world, for its experimenal, risk-taking theatre and arts programming and as a platform for local, emerging talent alongside global performers and there must be a way found for this to continue. Personally I have had the pleasure of seeing many great gigs over the years in this unique venue, from the likes of The Jesus and Mary Chain, Billy Bragg, John Grant and The Fall. Over 40,000 people have so far signed a petition to try to overturn this decision and the Scottish Government has said it will do what it can to safeguard the venue. Hopefully this sorry mess will have a positive outcome.

6 comments:

  1. So basically, keep it under wraps and you'll be fine. Try to deal with the problem and we'll shut you down. Classic case of hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Well done Glasgow Council - you've done your city proud.

    Hopefully it'll work out fine in the end. is the petition still open, and if so, where do I find it?

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    1. Hi Robster - this link should take you to the petition
      https://www.change.org/p/glasgow-city-council-licensing-board-and-police-scotland-re-instate-the-arches-club-licence

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  2. It is very sad I had some incredibly nights when Slam had their residency there from the opening night through the first birthday party until I decided i was too old for clubbing. I will not miss it as a concert venue though, I have always thought the sound shite for live music unless it was Billy Bragg with just his guitar for company. Glasgow City Council have never been particularly forward thinking and this just shows how foolish they are. We have a drug problem in the city, I know let's close down the club that is trying to deal with it. I would love to find out their reasoning.

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    1. Hi Drew, it does seem to be a self defeating decision as they were doing more than any other club in Glasgow to try and combat the drug problem that the city undoubtedly has. Good chance that it has made the situation worse. The drug problem is not going to disappear, it will just move to clubs that are less willing and/or able to deal with it.

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  3. Agree with everything in that post. Have experienced some amazing nights in the Arches and seen everything from Television to a tribute to John Maclean. Get signing that petition, folks.

    Jamie

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  4. Hi Jamie, as with yourself I have had some fantastic nights in The Arches. Let's hope they find a way to keep the venue open.

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