Party's over as Shoreditch club announces closure

Clubbers are in mourning after one of Shoreditch's most celebrated dance music venues announced its closure.

Herbal, in Kingsland Road, said on its website it is closing "due to unfortunate circumstances."

The club's licence was set to be reviewed by Hackney Council's licensing committee in the coming weeks.

The police had requested the club's licence come under scrutiny on the grounds of crime and disorder.

However, dance music enthusiasts have argued the club had one of the best reputations in the business.

Ben Child is a promoter of the Supatronix club night, which attracted packed audiences on the last Friday of every month.

He said: "I think it's very sad because Herbal has been a really well run club for about ten years. It was one of the best run clubs I have ever worked with.

"You have seen the number of illegal venues in Dalston recently. These places are not licensed, they go on all night and the police don't have the resources to shut them down.

"If venues like Herbal close, then there will be more places which are completely illegal with no health and safety.

"You will be getting back to the early days of the dance scene music scene where people hold illegal raves where they shouldn't be."

Herbal was a major player in the Shoreditch and Hoxton club scene, hosting major acts including Mylo and Groove Armada.

During the years, the venue hosted many different club nights including hip hop, funk, soul and drum 'n' bass.

DJ Spin Doctor, who played the hugely successful Doctor's Orders on the first Friday of every month, said: "Everyone played their part in building a party better than we could have ever hoped for with incredible memories and performances that I personally will cherish forever.

"There are relationships forged at the nights that I know will last for the rest of my life and am certain this is true of many of our regulars. I

"While I am sad to see the end of this era I believe that as one door closes another one opens and look forward to the experiences, relationships and memories sure to come when we relaunch The Doctor's Orders at a new home.