Dance Tunnel is closing its doors in August

London club Dance Tunnel has announced it will shut down permanently this August, with licensing problems cited as the reason for its closure.

Events hosted at the club usually end at 3am, although this has been pushed to 5am on the rare occasion that Hackney Council grants permission through a temporary event notice.

Hackney Council is notorious in its opposition to late-running nightlife. Last year it proposed to scrutinise the license of any event running beyond midnight, but backed down in the face of strong opposition from club owners.

In a statement on Facebook, the Dalston nightspot said: “We regret to announce that Dance Tunnel is to close its doors in August. Sadly the licensing climate in Hackney has made it impossible for us to get the hours we need to make Dance Tunnel sustainable in the long term.

"We would like to sincerely apologise to all the Tunnel Dancers who we are letting down. We really tried to make it work. Thanks to all the artists, DJs, promoters and family members who have shared their favourite music and moments with us over the last three-and-a-bit years. Thanks to everyone who has made our basement such a special place. Sorry we never got round to fixing that slope on the dancefloor."

The club, which opened towards the end of 2012, currently hosts nights from a number of popular promoters such as FWD>>, Mono_cult, Ostgut Ton and more, which will now have to find new homes.

It joins a growing list of London's club casualties, including Plastic People and Crucifix Lane.

[Image: Nick Cobby]

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter