Turnmills’ swan song

Turnmills’ swan song

24 January, 2008 | 10.09AM

• Section: Music News Topics: Beatport Blog
• Written by: Terry Church

A few weeks ago news surfaced that London’s long serving dance music club Turnmills was to be turned into offices.

Turnmills’ Director Danny Newman has now issued a farewell statement that is emotional-charged.

“The most important reason is of course that the lease is nearly up and the landlord wants to develop the site,” said Newman.

“To be honest it’s been on the cards for a couple of years now, we’ve always wanted to leave on our terms and it just seems like the right time to go - from a business and personal point of view.”

It sounds like Danny Newman was getting tired of running Turnmills. And who can blame him? The club’s been running for donkey’s years.

Newman continued: “So many different people love Turnmills for so many different reasons and the Easter Weekend allows us to do everything we want to do properly, for all the acts, DJs, promoters and friends along the way that have made it such a very special place and more importantly to do it the right way… our way.

“The landlords have been understanding and I’ve got nothing but respect for them.

They’ve allowed us to do what we wanted over the past year while we were deciding what to do, then recently they presented us with a deal that felt right, at the right time, and it was the obvious choice to move on.

“It feels as though it’s come to a natural end, and we are finishing on a high.

“The club has been the best and busiest it’s been in its history, and that’s the way I want it to be remembered.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve done and been through at Turnmills; the club will always have a special place in my heart.

“I’ll miss it dearly, as will so many people. 

“Thanks to everyone that ever came down, it was YOU that made the place what it was, we were just doing what we do behind the scenes.

“Take care, hopefully we’ll see you all for one last dance at Easter.

“Thank you… and goodnight.”

There was no mention of Turnmills relocating, despite initial reports that Newman and co were thinking of continuing their club legacy elsewhere.

London’s club scene is shifting, and Turnmills’ departure is sad but inevitable in an electronic music landscape obsessed by the new.

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