32,000 votes for 'Save Zouk' and still counting

THE Save Zouk Campaign which started on June 20 will end on Sept 1 and the club is ramping up efforts to extend its lease.

More than 32,000 locals and foreigners have signed the online appeal for the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to reconsider giving the iconic club a lease renewal for another three years.

Celebrities, such as Patricia Mok, Jade Seah and Daren Tan, have also spoken out against its imminent closure.

"It's not a marketing gimmick," said the club's business development and public relations head, Ms Sofie Chandra. "There is really no Plan B," she added.

Zouk, which has won the Best Nightspot Experience award given by the Singapore Tourism Board a record nine times, has been looking for a new venue since 2011.

It has not been able to find a new home despite being handed at least three extensions after the lease for its premises at Jiak Kim Street ran out in 2012.

If Zouk does not relocate by Dec 31, it will have to shut.

The staff have yet to give up hope though. In a last-ditch attempt to remain at its current location, Zouk will be launching a series of parties and merchandise to drum up awareness to its cause.

For example, Zouk will be reviving Mambo Jambo on Aug 8 where clubbers can once again dance to 1980s pop tunes. The retro-themed night was canned in 2012 as the music did not appeal to younger club-goers.

"We will continue to push for votes at each of the specific parties," she said.

Badges, car decals and stickers will be given out.

The club will release a second video today on the Save Zouk website and is also encouraging supporters to change their Facebook profile pictures to the Save Zouk logo on Sept 1. So far, it has spent $55,000 on producing the videos, building the site and printing decals and stickers.

When the campaign ends, the signatures will be submitted to URA. But sources tell The Straits Times that URA is unlikely to change its mind.

Not everyone wants to see the club remain at its current site. A Facebook user, Mr MT Se, wrote on the Save Zouk page: "I sincerely (hope) that Zouk (will) finally close down at its current location and relocate.... it is really a nuisance to those staying near there."

awcw@sph.com.sg

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