First there was the shock news of the closure of Gaydar Radio and now, owners QSoft Consulting, have delivered a second crushing blow to the gay scene, this time with the sudden ceasing of trading of its Bar Soho Limited business, meaning that, as of immediate effect, both Profile & Lo-Profile will be no more. So, amidst no warning & no opportunity for its staff, key players & customers to say a fond farewell, we find ourselves picking up the pieces of this pack of cards closure announcement & trying to put them together into a special report reflecting the mood of many for whom this is new news even bigger a shock than the last.
As the collation issues its mid-term report in a period of austerity that is now predicted to grip the UK for an extra four years, it seems that the tough economic times will continue to have an impact of our lives for a long while yet, although with a determination to make 2013 our year of “Positivity”, from day one, a real sense of optimism of bigger better & brighter things to come was sweeping across us, a definite new DM dawn on the near horizon, with the first weekend of 2013 encompassing Paris & PLAY>TIME. However, with the news of Gaydar Radio’s closure having shocked us, we had an inkling that this may be followed by another announcement, our report at the time saying “…this decision that will see Gaydar Radio close its door today, possibly having a knock on effect for QSoft’s bar & restaurant arm, Bar Profile Limited, which has been reported to be carrying a pre-tax loss of £2,195,581 in 2011 and so, purely in financial terms, could also be in danger of a rug pull closure..” we adding, “…however, we guess that announcement is for another day…”. But that other day has come, just four after the shocking news of Gaydar Radio, we find ourselves soaking us the not so shocking but stunningly sudden closure of Profile & Lo-Profile.
Yes you heard us right, Profile & Lo-Profile, as of today Monday 7th January, have ceased trading, the news, as it did with Gaydar Radio, filtering through on Facebook, while it wasn’t long before the official announcement was e-mailed to us, QSoft’s chairman, Henry Badenhorst, saying this, “It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Profile & Lo-Profile will be permanently closed from 7th January 2013…” he going on to explain that “…the building is undergoing major refurbishments required by the landlord and an agreement was reached for the lease to be surrendered back to the landlord after various problem areas could not be resolved…”. So, taking this on face value, we can understand that there has clearly been a dispute over the tenancy agreement, although what is not clear is whether that agreement was due for renewal, or whether the landlord had sought a review under the terms of the lease, given those extensive refurbishments that, if you have visited Profile in recent months has been all too evident given the scaffolding that has shrouded the entrance. However, that word “surrender” seems to be key here, as, if we are reading this correctly, it looks like there has been little attempt to fight these agreement complications tooth & nail in defence of a business that has not only become a cornerstone of the Soho scene, but is one over six years established, rather the towel was thrown in for that greater or lesser, whichever side of the fence you sit on, evil of life.
So, lease issues or not, it seems that, as with Gardar Radio, our beloved Wardour Street wonder, the creative combo that is (or was) Profile & Lo-Profile, has lost its fight for survival down to that evil word money, the figures speaking for themselves as that considerable debit the holding company, Bar Profile Limited, was carrying, we suspect too much to continue to bear. Plus, the raw facts are that, save for PLAY>TIME on Friday’s & a sizable chunk of Saturday’s, Lo-Profile was not a viable turnover proposition, one also under continual licensing pressures/issues, while the seven day bar come restaurant operation upstairs, Profile, was surely a real cash drain on QSoft. Indeed, the grandiose plans to push the food side of the business, the first few months seeing it open early doors & serve breakfast, the American diner style menu finding initial favour and it soon outshining many of its round the corner food serving competitors, was all relatively short lived. Indeed, with so much of the bar’s floor plan given over to dining space, must have found itself battling to cover costs, while, like its sister below, Friday’s & Saturday’s proved the singular popular nights of the week in what was always going to be an ever decreasing circle of its fight for survival. Yet, all that said, what Profile as a bar achieved during its now short 3 ¾ years on Wardour St., is something the team can be proud off, raising the Soho sophistication stakes substantially and providing a platform for some amazing D.J.’s tout their talents, who can forget the “ClubNation” Friday’s with Phil Marriott, the Zach Burns sessions & the likes of Nathan Six & Jamie Head, who always seemed to excel in this smart space.
No, it has not shocked us that Profile & Lo-Profile are no more, but what has truly shocked & stunned us is the speed & suddenness that it has both happened & been announced, our trip to PLAY>TIME last Friday now sadly proving to be our last, as with the immediate closure, there has been no opportunity to say a fond farewell to the place, in what would surely have been a much more gracefully & gracious departure from the scene than this. And, that is what has actually angered us, as surely QSoft were aware sometime in advance of today’s announcement, that this day would arrive and so, surely, for the sake of so many fervent fans, loyal customers, key players & staff members old & new, would want to have left on some sort of a, if but sadden tinged, high, a final Friday or Saturday fling surely the fitting end to a brand that has made a huge impact of the social & clubbing lives for many in Soho. Indeed, we would go as far to say that QSoft owe a debt of gratitude to the scores of stars that have helped line its pockets, bringing their wealth of talents to the fore, many of which you would associate with the big boy clubs in London & internationally, the likes of Steve Pitron, Paul Heron, Pagano, D’Johnny, Tony English, Jodie Harsh, Jamie Head, Mikey D, Brent Nicholls & Oliver M, while scores more made Lo-Profile a prolific playing ground, some developing & nurturing terrific talents, Zach Burns forever linked with the place. Then there are the clubbing connections, Gigolo having been born there, SuperMartXe, Lovechild & Salvation having used it as a pre-party platform, while it would feed others, A:M & Beyond always benefactors, although Soho was made so richer by it very presence, meaning that to bow out so ungraciously & without any kind of generous goodbye is nothing short of scandalous.
As for the reactions, well they speak the biggest volumes in terms of the magnitude of the loss that Profile & Lo-Profile’s closure has caused, Facebook having gone viral on the subject, this just a small collection of reactions, the first from one of the clubs Managers’ who spoke out first by saying “…Life is hard and most of the time I feel I’m struggling to get through every day. Today made me look back at my life and see that I have been blessed to have worked with the greatest team of people I could ever have asked for — life is hard and sometimes the happiness you were searching for was right with you the whole time I will miss you all…”, this causing a floodgate, tributes & comments pouring in, this from Zach Burns, “…Sad news, very sad to hear off Profile & Lo Profile closing today. Must thank Paul Beardshaw & Raphael Goes for giving me the chance to join the venue & team of DJs, Lo Profile was one of my favourite clubs, every time spent there has been amazing & a massive boost for me. Over the time there I met many great people from the team, It’s been truly awesome, you won’t be missed because I’ll still see you all but wish you all the best for whatever’s to come next…” while one of its biggest supporters & also a key player there, Seenqueen’s webmaster & scene D.J. Brent Nicholls saying, “…I can’t believe one of London’s best clubs and bars Profile & Lo Profile are closed. I loved djing there, it had a touch of the old school glamour clubbing and was one of the few quality crowds and venues London had. Why are all the ‘great’ places closing? Although there are other quality venues, there is also a lot of sub standard clubs and venues…this is a sad reflection of a gay scene in decline…this is also an opportunity for other venues to step up to the plate, when one door closes another one opens…but there will never be a door like Profile/LoProfile…we were a family that had a home in the heart of vibrant Soho. Goodbye Profile/LoProfile and thank you to all those that made it the fantastic place it was…”.
But with so many more like this from one of its heavenly hosts Andrea Drudikova, “…Such a shame Profile and Lo Profile closed down. Sending good vibes to all the staff. It was a fab place where we always had lots of fun…” and this from one of its most well known Manager’s, Raphael Goes, “…It’s a very very sad day, spent a big part of my time in London inside that venue, so many good moments, so many new friends, can’t believe I won’t be able to go back there to see everyone and have a tequila shot!!!! I’m so sorry guys, hope you are all well, miss you all very much and hope to be able to see you guys somewhere else now… Goodbye Lo-Profile…” sent all the way from Brazil, it is clear that this news is far reaching & affecting so many, meaning we could easily devote another post to the comments along, while what we will be commissioning, is a special review, not just capturing that last PLAY>TIME from Friday, but sharing snippets from reviews across the years in celebration of what D.J. & pal Mikey D exclaimed as “…one of the most fun and exciting places to DJ on the scene…” and one “…sorely missed in Soho…”, while, pictorially, Seenqueen have already come up trumps with their own tribute and one well worth taking a look by going to direct link. http://seenqueen.com/web/club-pix-profile-lo-profile-memories/ while watch this space for some exclusive shots taken just this afternoon, when we were given an opportunity to step inside the venue for the last time ahead of the builders bulldoze, a special few minutes that gave us the chance to say bye to team members & toast what had become our favourite Soho spot ever, a fond farewell.
So while we remain ravaged by mixed emotions over this awful announcement, anger swinging to sadness & back again, we are determined, even if QSoft aren’t, to mark the moment of Profile & Lo-Profile’s passing with that promised reflective review tribute “Final Lo-Pro Fling” which we aim to publish on Saturday, while you too can say a fond farewell to these Soho splendours, Saturday the day, 7 p.m. the time, & The Yard the place to do it, details up at http://facebook.com/events/244194319045789/, raising a glass to the future to the team, but all toasting that farewell to a brilliant bar/club brand that, just a day after meeting its maker, is so sadly & sorely missed. (DISCO MATT)
