Glasgow venue The Arches today confirmed, at a meeting of the venue’s board of directors, that they will begin a process of administration following a clampdown last month by the Glasgow licensing board which sought to limit the club’s opening hours and force it to close at midnight every day.
Warnings from those involved in running The Arches at the time suggested that this restriction on the venue’s club operations would heavily infringe on its arts program also since the lucrative club market had considerably financed other activities in Glasgow’s arts scene that The Arches were involved in. The Evening Times reports that Gordon Kenny, chairman of The Arches’ board of directors, today said that the venue had "“no other choice than to begin the process of appointing administrators". He goes on: "This decision has been taken with deep regret as it will have a major impact on our staff, business partners, customers, and on Glasgow’s reputation for night time economy. This is a very sad day for The Arches and for the city of Glasgow." Lucy Mason, Artistic Director of The Arches, added: "The atmosphere and architecture of The Arches have helped to shape and define a generation of enquiring and vital artists. It’s shocking that this building which has inspired such creativity, devotion and ambition, should cease to exist as an Arts venue." All events scheduled at the Arches from today (June 10) are now cancelled.
