Published
Thu, Feb 18, 2010, 11:40
- Local development plans are threatening the venue's entertainment license.
Ministry of Sound, London's hugely influential and longstanding nightclub, is currently faced with a very unsettling prospect: a new residential tower cropping up right across the street, threatening the venue's entertainment license.
Fears first arose when property developer Oakmayne submitted an application for a new apartment building in Elephant and Castle, at the site of the old Eileen House. If built, the residence tower would place 369 private apartments just a stone's throw away from the bustling night club, inevitably challenging MoS's current method of operation. When asked about his project's potential interference with the world-famous venue, Oakmayne chairman Christopher Allen stated simply that "nightclubs come and go."
But Ministry of Sound has so far proven much more durable than most. The venue first opened its doors in the fall of 1991, and has since become one of the world's most successful nightclubs, with thousands of massive parties and literally millions of patrons. MoS is also one of dance music's most recognisable brands, with a hugely lucrative record label and several famous compilation series, such as Hed Kandi, Global Underground, Euphoria and Dance Nation. With all of its various branches combined, MoS grosses over £80 million per year.
Nonetheless, the people at MoS see Oakmayne's plans as an extremely serious threat to their South London home. Lohan Presencer, CEO of the Ministry of Sound Group, issued this statement earlier today:
“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”.