Jonny M, Director of Promotions at Orange Group, explains what’s in store for the coming weeks during Fire’s temporary closure…
It’s no secret that people across the gay scene have been discussing the licensing issues relating to Fire and Area for the last couple months, and all sorts of rumours have been flying around. What’s the truth behind it all?
Yes, I’ve heard some pretty crazy allegations flying around the scene over the last months, some quite amusing really. Of course, 95% of what you hear on the rumour mill is total rubbish. I don’t get too involved in the politics of the clubs themselves – heading up the promotions side of things I even work in a separate office – but what I do know is that Fire was subject to a licensing hearing, which the club has successfully got through and retained it’s license. Fire will, however, be closed for six weeks from now, opening again on 15th December and in that period some of the Fire gay parties are moving to Area, while others will move to our friends over at Factory.
Do you feel that local Vauxhall businesses, such as the clubs there, do not get the credit they deserve for reinvigorating what was once otherwise a rather overlooked area of London?
You could say that! The nighttime economy is often overlooked. Vauxhall used to be a pretty unpleasant place, now it’s awash with luxury apartments, restaurants and LGBT businesses. Fire is proud of its contribution to the local area – from providing a meeting place and community space for LGBT people to our fundraising for charities such as the National Aids Trust and the Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund.
Let’s move on to the here and now. So you’re moving some Fire gay parties to Factory…
Yes, as I said we’re thrilled to be relocating some of our gay events from Fire to Factory, situated very close by in Vauxhall. It’s the perfect space, and, of course, we have all the incredible lighting and production to add that ‘Fire’ feeling to the venue. Plus the maintenance team will be popping over to give the club a deep clean before our events.
Why choose that venue to host your brands? What makes it the right choice?
It’s close by, it’s the perfect size, and it’s been underused on the gay scene. Somehow it’s really been bypassed, and with our promotions in place I’m sure it’ll be an incredible home for our events. Plus we have an excellent relationship with the club’s management, which of course helps dramatically.
So, which events are moving and where?
Thursday nights – or Friday mornings, shall we say – ‘Gravity’ afterhours sessions will now be at Area. Work!, Patrick Lilley’s midweek urban session, is also moving back to Area, which is proving to be a very popular move. Factory will also host Sunday afternoon’s ‘Later’, and our flagship brand ‘Orange’. Plus, we’ve got some great Saturday night promotions lined-up there, too.
And what about the reopening weekend for Fire? What can we look forward to?
Well, it may be a while off but believe me we’re planning some very special parties for that weekend. ‘Ultimate’ afterhours last Sunday morning showed exactly why Fire is one of London’s best gay venues and judging by the wild response – we had to keep the main room open an extra 2 hours as no-one wanted to leave – London’s gay community is going to miss it and we’ll miss them, too. Keep an eye on www.fireclub.co.uk/news for all the latest information.
• See right for information of where events at Fire are being relocated to, and keep reading QX for further updates over the coming weeks. Fire is due to reopen on the weekend starting 15th December with Gravity after-hours.
