Published
Tue, Sep 2, 2008, 14:27
- Legendary London clubbing institution The End will close its doors in January 2009.
Legendary London clubbing institution The End will close its doors in January 2009.
After more than 12 years of parties, the club owned and operated by Layo and Mr C has been sold and the land is rumored to be redeveloped going forward. The decision, however, was based on a mutual agreement between the owners that it was perhaps time to move on. Zoe Paskin, one of the directors behind the club: "An opportunity arose that made us think even more deeply about what we wanted for The End in the future. Not just for today and tomorrow, but for several years moving forward. We discussed with the people that make the club what it is behind the scenes whether we wanted to carry the club on, and whether we could all continue to be as engaged as we had been. It was inevitable that people would eventually want to move on, and the chance to do this was in front of us." Added Layo, "The option to be able to close on a high appeals to our romantic nature."
Despite the constant rumors about the club being up for sale, Layo contends that it was never really an option until recently. "We've had offers for the club before, and yes, this was the best one. But...if it was seven or eight years ago, an offer like this wouldn't have been accepted."
December 6th will mark the venue's 13th anniversary and it's there that the farewell parties will commence, beginning with a special appearance from Cocoon label head Sven Väth. The final parties at the club will take place on January 23rd and 24th. Stay tuned for RA throughout the next few months, as we'll be bringing you the news that will detail all of the events that The End has planned for its final hurrah.
The closing comes at a particularly tenuous time for London clubbing. The capital recently lost The Goods Yard (The Cross, The Key and Canvas) to Kings Cross St Pancras rail expansions, Turnmills closed after more than 20 years of operation earlier this year and T Bar is currently searching for a new space. In fact, the only new club of note that seems to be opening is matter, Fabric's new megaclub within The O2 in September.
But despite the doom and gloom, The End's story seems simply to be one of all good things eventually coming to a close. Says Layo, "I think it’s wonderful to be able to open a place, run it, and close it all on your own terms. My father and I built this place alongside Mr. C, and my sister and I ran the place. The pride that I feel in doing this with them is beyond words. We did it as equals, but we all learnt from one another along the way. In a very traditional sense it was like a family business, but the business itself was anything but traditional."