Floor fails at Roxx: reactions

Last night’s emergency evacuation of Bedford Place venue Roxx prompted a rash of fan reaction on social networks and an official statement from the club itself.

It seems the structural failure wasn’t entirely unanticipated, begging the question of why the venue was open for business in the first place:

On the Roxx Facebook page the owners appeared to acknowledge concerns.

Extensive structural reports were undertaken in November 2012, to verify the strength of the floor after we took over the venue, and specified works were carried out to reinforce the dance floor to the necessary requirements. It is clear that there is a further problem to be addressed and solved.

The official statement went on to confirm “…we will not reopen until we are 100% confident that the space is completely safe to our customer’s ongoing safety and wellbeing.”

Fans of band The Story So Far were directed to The Joiners where they were hoping to see more than a song and a half from the Californian pop punk group, but the small capacity of the St Mary’s pub meant the gig was hasily rearranged for the Unit nightclub. Unfortunately, Unit being an over-18s only venue meant that the band’s many teenage fans found themselves traipsing around town only to be sent home.

Those able to get to Kingston tonight will be able to use their Roxx tickets to see The Story So Far at Banquet Records. This will be of little comfort for the owners of Roxx, however, who are now faced with a huge wave of negative publicity and likely an almighty bill for building works.

Were you at Roxx last night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!