A message of thanks from the club when permission was granted to re-open in 2016 following a licence review

WHEN Terry Francis first ventured through a nondescript set of doors and into a dark labyrinth-like bunker, he had no idea that this nightclub would eventually become world-famous, with ravers arriving from across Europe to witness cutting-edge producers redefining house music.

He did know, however, that Fabric was “going to be really special”.

And maybe it was this initial feeling that has meant Mr Francis has been DJ-ing at the Farringdon-based club every Saturday since it opened in 1999 and was on the decks again last weekend as it celebrated its special 25th anniversary.

The weekend was the culmination of a year of events leading up to Fabric’s big birthday, where organisers had put on gigs in cities ranging from Miami to Lisbon.

But the 30 hours of continuous music at the Smithfield Market-facing venue was what truly marked its two and a half decades on the club scene.

DJs Terry Francis and Kleo Kleanthous were part of the campaign to save the famous nightclub in 2016

“It was absolutely fantastic,” Mr Francis said.

“It’s a younger crowd than me now, but it was really cool, really busy. The birthdays are always special.

“I’ve played in a lot of clubs, but Fabric is the top club I’ve ever played in.”

Recalling his first tour of the club 25 years ago, Mr Francis said: “It was like a dungeon down there.

Keith Reilly showed me around. It was refreshing to listen to someone who wanted a space for good music, not just to make profit”.

But it hasn’t always been smooth-sailing for the owners and fans.

In 2016 Fabric was closed after two 18-year-olds died having taken ecstasy in the club. The tragedy prompted the Met Police to force a review into the club, with officers describing it as a “safe haven” for illegal drugs. Islington Council subsequently withdrew its licence.

Islington Council eventually allowed it to re-open

Supporters demonstrated on the streets outside, held a 24-hour DJ session in Camden Market, and raised £320,000 for the club’s legal battle which ultimately led to it reopening.

The talks held between the council and Fabric included a marathon Town Hall licensing meeting running beyond midnight.

Mr Francis was one of the hundreds of supporters campaigning to save the club.

He said: “It’s been a real struggle for Fabric, but they’ve got through it and come back stronger than ever. When it closed down, it was people-power really that got it back open again.

“It’s such a big part of society. People met there, got married from there, had children from there. It’s almost a community centre.”

As nightclubs across London start to close, impacted by the knock-on effects of Covid and young people having less money to splash on drinks and nights out, Fabric still manages to draw huge crowds every weekend.

“They really care about people,” said Mr Francis.

“It’s good music, it’s a good sound system, the whole thing is quality. It’s just nice for people to go somewhere safe, where they feel safe.”