Unless you've been backpacking through a remote jungle or are still in the denial phase (mine lasted a good couple of days) it will not have escaped your attention that Plastic People, one of London's most treasured venues, is under threat. The council are reviewing its license on the grounds that it has, apparently, 'failed to prevent public disorder and nuisance'.
Now, I'm not normally one for conspiracy theories but this smells very fishy indeed. Someone, somewhere, who is employed to act in the interest of the public has decided that we could do without a venue like this, thankyou very much. Much has been said in the weeks since the review was announced, but allow me to have my tuppence worth and state that I have never been offered drugs there, I have never witnessed anything remotely resembling 'nuisance' of any description, and like many of our readers I have spent a LOT of time there. You see, that's the precise appeal of going- because it's full of like-minded music lovers who are having a good time. The only thing unruly about Plastic People is the state of the toilets. The mass uproar that has gathered speed over the last couple of weeks (even the broadsheets have devoted column inches to the cause) is testament to the number of people whose most treasured memories revolve around that dingy basement with an unbeatable atmosphere and world-class soundsystem.
I appreciate I'm not saying anything new here and many others have said all of this better, but the fact that such a nakedly fraudulent bid to close our harmless and beloved institution has even been mounted strikes me as very ominous indeed. Quite what threat Plastic People poses to a city overrun with vacuous, trendier-than-thou shitdens is beyond me, but what do I know? I'm only a music fan.
All I do know is that if the outrage is ignored and Plastic People does go under, it will be resounding proof that they, whoever 'they' are, simply do not care about us.
Join the Facebook group here and make sure you sign the petition. Let's stand up and be counted before we lose this place forever.
