After a whirlwind 18 months and facing closure in January, The Cause has been granted an extension on its current home just as the council activates a new license with extended opening hours.
The Cause continues to go from strength to strength. After finding another space recently, the team has just been granted a surprise extension on its current building, just as a new premises license is activated allowing it to run until 6 AM (previously 5am) on weekends, 3am on Wednesdays and 4am Thursdays. Furthermore, during bank holiday weekends, the club has the chance to run 24-hour events matching that of only a handful of venues in the capital. The club had originally applied for these changes to its license back in April, exemplifying the red tape issues for independent venues.
The developers of the property have not cited reasons as to the delay, but it’s clear from looking around that the street was preparing for some major development. It is not yet known how long the extension will be for, but The Cause are hoping for another summer.
Stuart Glen, co-founder says: “It feels like I have been pranked. Styx (a nightclub opposite) closed last NYE and has since been bulldozed. The petrol station next door has been demolished. We see cranes every day. A few weeks ago, we didn’t think we had any options, now we’re paying rent on two spaces and have another possibility in the pipeline. It’s like a game of musical clubs and we literally have no clue what 2020 holds for us.”
It’s currently unknown whether the new space, unveiled on NYE will carry on past this show as this news now puts more complications into the mix. Whilst details of this party line-up are being kept close to the chest, today Freerotation announced it will be collaborating with The Cause in its new space. The festival is undoubtedly one of the most respected underground parties in the country, so expect something very, very special.
Regardless of what spaces The Cause utilizes, it is determined to help leverage the power of music to help others. Last Friday (22nd November) it held a last-minute fundraiser with Jamie xx, HAAi, and others, raising £12,000 for the Hackney Winter Night Shelter to help homeless during these cold months. By the end of 2019, the club has a target of hitting £100K funds raised across all the charities that itself and associated events have fundraised for.
Meanwhile, this new model of hopping around and finding temporary homes within these spaces hopes to prove to councils and developers the positive side of dance culture.
For now, the good news is that the club will survive.
Tickets for the NYE double venue party can be purchased HERE
