DJ Mag

Ministry Of Sound under threat

London superclub fears closure due to property development

The future of the globe’s most famous nightclub — the Ministry Of Sound — is under threat. The fears first surfaced when property developer Oakmayne made a planning application for a huge apartment block just a stone’s throw from the Elephant & Castle nightclub. If the application is granted it will pose a huge challenge to Ministry’s entertainment license.

For 18 years, Ministry Of Sound has been the dominant bedrock of the London club scene. Almost as old as acid house itself, the venue’s rise has bookmarked the full growth of London’s electronic music culture and continues to push forward with a programme that includes London’s longest running weekly club night (Friday night’s The Gallery), Erick Morillo’s Subliminal, Steve Lawler’s VIVa , Global Undergound and Hed Kandi.

When questioned about the fact that their property project stands to curtail the life of London’s longest standing clubbing institution, Oakmayne’s chairman said “nightclubs come and go.”

In response Ministry Of Sound Group’s CEO Lohan Presenscer issued the following statement: “When Oakmayne told us that “nightclubs come and go”, we were horrified. Ministry of Sound is not just any nightclub; it’s the most famous nightclub in the world and the heart of a global entertainment business. These developers have cut corners at every stage and counter to their claims, they do not have the best interests of the local community at heart.  We must do everything in our power to save our club and our business.”

With so many great clubbing instutitons falling by the wayside in recent years, we’re hoping that London’s oldest and biggest doesn’t go the same way. 

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