Hackney Council has clarified reports that the Stoke Newington venue Total Refreshment Centre was issued with a "notice of closure."
The venue confirmed they had received the notice in a statement posted to Facebook earlier today. "As of this week we won't be having events at TRC for a little while," it reads. However, as reports of the closure began circulating online, Hackney Council responded by tweeting that the club is "not shut down but is under investigation for allegedly selling alcohol without a licence."
Opened in 2012, Total Refreshment Centre has been a hub for various strains of leftfield dance music, from krautrock and soul to world music. "We want to thank all the dancers, the fellow promoters, the artists, DJs and the TRC staff, each of you have put your trust in us, and sailed on the TRC ship," writes the team. They add that they're working on relocating all the gigs currently scheduled at the venue.
A new mixtape, produced in collaboration with the Chicago label International Anthem and recorded at Total Refreshment Centre, has also been announced.
Resident Advisor has reached out to Hackney Council and Total Refreshment Centre for comment.
Update: The Hackney Council has further clarified their actions on Twitter, saying, "It's not shut down but is under investigation for allegedly selling alcohol without a licence."
Total Refreshment Centre has also shared a statement with RA, emphasising that part of their facilities will remain open during the investigation.
At this time we will be refraining from further public comment on our conversations with Hackney Council. We are very keen to work with the council and all relevant authorities to make TRC the very best place that it can be. This is not a case of 'Us' versus 'Them,' rather that we must collaborate with them fully if we are to continue building this world.
To the press, please do not make statements about us that are not rooted in fact. Speculation will only work in our disservice at this stage. We are meeting with the council next week so we'll know more about this case. We will keep you posted.
We would like to reiterate that our upstairs space, with all the studios and lives that are held within, will continue to function as normal.
With love,
TRC