Amsterdam club De School is closing.

As Resident Advisor reports, the announcement was made today (July 28) by club co-owner Jochem Doornbusch who said that the COVID-19 pandemic had made the venue's future as a nightclub financially untenable. "The bottom line is that the debts are piling up," he said. "Not only because of the uncovered staff cost, but also the other ongoing costs. Acting now and making this very difficult decision may prevent the total bankruptcy of our company Post CS (11, TROUW)."

The bar, restaurant and terrace at the venue will remain open, Doornbusch's statement clarified. The announcement comes in the wake of a number of criticisms that have been levelled at De School in recent months, particularly involving the venue's security and all-white office team.

The club's co-owner, booker and HR manager recently sat down for the recording of a podcast in which a number of people from the local clubbing community voiced their criticisms of the club, which included a lack of accountability by staff and serious accusations that security had suggested that they would let off some club-goers caught with drugs in exchange for sexual favours.

De School opened in January 2016 as a five-year project, and had been due to close early next year. It was announced earlier this year that the venue initially planned to stay open for another year as a result of it being closed as a club since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.