Published
Fri, Dec 21, 2018, 15:25
- The police have reportedly reduced the venue's permitted capacity by more than half in recent weeks.
The Reading Rooms in Dundee has urged clubbers to attend or donate towards planned fundraising nights after struggling to operate with a reported enforced limit on the club's capacity.
In a statement published Thursday, the Reading Rooms said that they needed to raise funds to "cover the cost of rectifying recent operational issues at the club" by January 20th. The venue's 450-person capacity has been reduced to 200 for recent club events, according to the Dundee Courier. The club was also forced to cancel two events, on December 6th and 7th, "due to difficulties operating under limitations set upon the venue by the authorities."
Last month, a petition was raised by a clubgoer calling for protection against gentrification and "extreme pressure" from police and council officials. After gathering around 7000 signatures, the petition was taken down days later after the Reading Rooms sought legal advice.
"In order for Police Scotland to ensure public safety, one of our main duties, especially during nighttime economy, is to check how bars and clubs are being run in Dundee," Police Scotland's Chief Inspector Nicola Russell said. "Officers work closely with partner agencies and with all licensed premises to provide support and advice on the steps that staff can take to prevent crime, drug misuse and alcohol-related violence on their premises as they have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for people to enjoy their day or night out."
The club and former library, founded in 2002, has brought the likes of Paranoid London, Rebekah and Avalon Emerson to Dundee in the past year, as well as Scottish favourites such as Eclair Fifi and Slam. The two fundraising nights take place on Saturday, December 22nd, and Friday, December 28th. Owing to capacity restrictions, the club is accepting donation-only contributions for ticket purchases.
Resident Advisor has contacted the Reading Rooms for additional comment.