Last week’s news that iconic Glasgow venue The Arches was set to go into administration was a depressing addition to the list of UK clubs that have been forced into non-existence by outside forces in recent years. At the time, the driving force behind the closure seemed to be the Glasgow licensing board’s insistence that the venue close at midnight. It was an unreasonable request and it left the owners and board with no choice.
If that seemed unpleasant, the rash of details that emerged yesterday are downright absurd. According to the Glasgow Evening Times
, the city’s Police insisted that the venue pause their music once an hour and bring up the house lights for a "cool down period." Reports that repeat offenders would be sent to the "naughty step" were not confirmed.
On top of that, the force stated that the venue should increase its police presence on club nights, a move that would have cost them roughly £50,000. The Evening Times calculated that such an amount works out at £42.50 per hour for each officer, 100 nights a year. Tidy.
Orde Meikle of DJ Slam said that the demands demonstrated "a lack of understanding of the nature of our particular form of cultural expression." Seems about right.
Anyway, there’s your Friday pick-me-up. Remember, if you plan on going out clubbing this weekend, do factor in a "cool down period" on the hour, every hour. We at tQ wouldn’t want you getting over-stimulated.
