Trade Moments

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....the first time I heard Tony spin "are you all ready"
Truly mind-bending! (and when I was over in August....EJ Doubell.....last song.....age of love.....truly thankful!)
Thank you for the past 12 years!
Please tell me your monthly residence in the US will be NYC.
Much love, Neal

MY FIRST TIME IN TRADE!!AND THE THREE TO FOUR'S I'VE BEEN A TRADE BABE AVE BEEN THE BEST AND THE 12 B'DAY PARTY WAS AMAZING THE BEST PARTY IN A LONG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT TRADE X Alan

I started gay clubbing in the early 80s (ouch!), and have seen the naff and the legendary all come and go. From the start Trade was different.

Trade was the Ground-Breaking Music and the Fierce Rulin' Ones who took us to Gorgeous Insanity every weekend. It was the venue, whose size and shape changed more often than the Tardis. And it was the risks and changes in musical direction that Trade took, often to fierce criticism, but which ensured it lasted for twelve mind-shattering years.

But above all else, it was the people. Nowhere else have I felt less attitude. At Trade, it didn't matter whether you were gay or straight, boy, girl or somewhere in-between, Muscle Mary or skinny indie kid, positive or negative, Cambridge don or East End barrow boy, first-time Trade virgin or long-time Trade slapper.

What mattered was that all of us were/ are- Trade Babies - with everything that implies.

At the risk of sounding excruciatingly sentimental, for me Trade was all about Acceptance, all about Family and Community, all about Love and Respect.

To Laurence and the Collective, and to every single Trade Baby past, present - and future - Thank You. You have all given me the Happiest Weekends of my life.

Well, now I suppose I'll have to start going out for Sunday roast and two veg.

We wanted to write to say a huge thank you to all the Trade collective for all their time and effort over the years to give us such happy times.

We both discovered Trade in 1997 and really it became the only club we went to, because it was the best.

It is no exaggeration to say that we have had some of the happiest hours of our lives at Trade and on the dancefloor. We have met some great people; most of whom we could not have met in any other way.

Trade was and is incredibly special to us. Over the last couple of years we have also noticed the change in clubbing and there have been lots of factors in this. What is most remarkable isn't so much that Trade has closed as a weekly club but that it managed to re-invent itself successfully time and time again. But your decision is the right one. Better to go out with a bang - and that party was a VERY BIG bang!! - than to fade away.

I hope you all know how magical the experience has been for us. Thanks for all your work.

We feel sort of sad about it - but we are looking forward to the parties next year and to getting back on that dancefloor. See you in 2003. Lots of love - and lots of respect, Robert & James

Thankyou Trade for being the best club there has ever been.

As the last notes were played on Sunday, the tears started to flow... I have only been going for over 18 months, but in that time I have had the best times and made load of new friends along the way. It's this that I will miss most... it was more like a social get together than a club. Everyone got to know each other, and you always knew that there'd be someone there that you knew. No other club has ever offered the same experience as Trade.

And on top of that, the music was the best I'd ever heard. You could almost guarantee you'd have a good time everytime you went. As soon as I stepped into Turnmills the atmosphere took hold, and you just felt the need to start dancing.

Yes the attendance numbers dwindled over the past year but still the experience was the same... Awesome!!

As everyone knows, Homosexuals are so fussy, and too quick to say 'IT'S SO OVER!!!', but for me Trade will always live on, and the memories will always remain. There are too many to forget. And I'm sure that for many it will be the same.

The thing I will miss most is EJ Doubell. She is without doubt the most amazing DJ in the world. If there were weeks when Trade wasn't quite upto standard, she would always come on to save the day. Numerous times I would be stood on the dance floor in tears, amazed at how good she was. Every single tune she played was spot on. You only have to take 1 January 2002 as an example, she didn't falter once. So much time and effort must have gone into that set. I coukd imagine no-one else who would have been that dedicated. I was hoping she would reach 'Superstar DJ' status following her time at Trade. Hopefully she will, and soon, because I can't do without my weekly fix. I hope that she will be making a regular appearance at the Trade special events and also at Egg, because to me she could have been the saviour of Trade. We love you Emma x

Well that's about it....

See you all again soon xxxx
Geoff.

I just wanted to thank you very much for all the fab times I have had at Trade. I have only been going for a couple of years and as such I get to hear all the halcyon days stories.

I was at the 12th birthday party and had a wonderful time, although it was a little emotional seeing how my friends and I Malice were at the end of it.

"Best fucking club in the world!" Well said!

I look forward to getting down to the new venue in 2003 and I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks for all the time and effort.

Yours, Justin Moseley.

Thanks for all the wonderfull & magical times at Turnmills, no other gay club has even come close to providing the experiences I have had there. No where else do you get that same kind of unique atmosphere. I have a friend in NY who went for most of your early years, he was quite sad to have missed the 12 birthday celebration as he says the club had such a huge impact on him for a few years. I stayed right till then end on Sunday afternoon, it was one of the best nights I have ever had out. It was very sad to listen to Lawrence at the end and my best wishes go out to him and the team for the future, you can count on a lot of support!

Much love, Joseph.

Dear Trade Collective, Thanks for having given me some of the best times in my life. Over the many years I have been clubbing @ Trade I have listened to some of the best music in clubland and met some of my best friends. Trade was always cutting edge in creating a great atmosphere and giving clubbers music you could not find enywhere else. Trade was and hopefully continues to be unique. I have seen so many clubs come and go and didn't feel anything. Now I am at a loss!!! Please continue with regular Trade parties in London and abroad as you have always been a handy travel planner for me: LA, Ibiza, Ireland, Paris to mention just a few. I can't even contemplate New Years Eve without Trade. Looking back to the last New Years Day party still makes me shiver with excitement. Many thanks also to the DJs who worked so hard at rather unsocial hours :) Special thanks to Rosco, Gonzalo, Emma, Peter Ward and Malcom Duffy who always had an open ear when bumped into the DJ box for a chat (not necessarily sober) :) My biggest thanks however goes out to Laurence! Thanks you so much for never compromising your standards. Music, production and artwork, Trade was always a complete package. You have touched so many of us in ways you'll never know. I want to wish the entire Trade Colective all the best for the future and your new ventures. I'm sure London holds its breath and patiently waits for your next step. Love and admiration. Thomas PS: See you NYE?!!! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fave Trade moment? Every Sunday about 5am when, after catching up with everyone I knew as they arrived, I descended the steps leading from the chill out room into the depths of Turnmills. No matter where or what I had done before, this was always the start of my Saturday night out. Trade was my home and the dance floor of the hard house room was my playground. Thanks to every single person who made Trade what it was. *hugs* Jase.

I have been clubbing for a few years and for the last 10 years or so Trade has been the shrine at which I would worship. But I've never been a "clubland" person so don't know promoters and djs and the like. I just like to pay my money and take my choice - and what a choice Trade has been. But a few years ago a colleague of mine who lived in Kidderminster mentioned how his nephew (yes, I'm that "unconnected") was best mate of Tony de Vit and his brother. Well, as far as I was concerned being Tony de Vit's best mate made you a Very Important Person as well as being close to God (yes Tony was our generation's Eric Clapton). I cheekily enquired whether the next time I was at Trade whether it would be ok to spend some time with Tony in the DJ's booth and to my amazement the answer came back as "Yes". You can imagine my excitement when a couple of weeks later I approached Tony and, yes he let me into the booth with him. I was gob smacked and all I could think was "F... me, I'm in the DJ booth with TONY DE VIT!! - at TRADE!!) As usual Tony was kicking up a storm and there was an electric buzz around the booth and he was laughing and smiling as the club exploded time and again. It was a magical moment and I staggered out after twenty minutes or so just overcome with joy and emotion. This was the first, last and only time I met Tony as sadly and tragically he died a
few weeks later. But what a memory to cherish amongst all the great memories of Trade over the years. Thank you so very much.

As a postscript my mate in Kidderminster visits the cemetery there to pay respects to his mother. He tells me that Tony's grave is always adorned with flowers and there are often people placing a card or some flowers by the grave. "I thought that only happened to Elvis" he said. I need say no more. Lots of
love, Andy xxx

Trade has played a big part in my social life. I started going in year 2 after hearing many people rant and rave about this new after hours club, and saying "you should go you would love it." At that time I was a regular visit to Heaven and the old LA and I must say I was having a great time at both and saw no reason to go anywhere else.

But it was the early 90's and music was changing pace fast and furiously, and Trade had something unique to offer serious clubbers and lovers of pure dance music. I went for the very first time just before the second birthday party and after visiting Turnmills for the first time when FF used to be on. My initial
response at FF was 'mmmm not sure about this" and it was the first time that I had something other than alcohol to help my mood as it were <G>....... after 1/2 an hour nothing was happening so I left with my 'so called' partner at the time and walked home........ wasn't till I got home that I wished I had stayed! So the next visit was to Trade to experience it again in more conducive surroundings <G> That first night at Trade was like no other I had
ever experienced, and my love affair with Trade began. Soon ,for more years than I care to remember, it became a weekly event for me.... as well as the club <G>.

I have made some very treasured friends, far to many to mention here, and have had nights at Trade that only others who have been could possibly relate to. But the most precious thing that Trade made possible for me was meeting my partner, Simon. After being single for 3 months and definately not looking for any form of relationship, we met at 5.15am January the 15th 1995. I had
only ever picked up twice at Trade prior to that because I was always too busy enjoying myself dancing in 'The Well' with my other friends. I remember it so well because all my friends stopped dancing to see me snogging this guy? they had never seen me do that before, all I ever did was dance and laugh and have fun. Always staying to the bitter end as a rule..... this was the shortest Trade I had ever had.....3 1/4 hours! We left at 8.15 am. The rest as they say is history, and we are still together and have had even more amazing nights at Trade together. Only down side now Trade has closed......we have no where to celebrate our anniversary.... So we think will have to have a Trade remembrance party each year so we can celebrate <G> just so we can play Tonys 'Hooked upon your love' as that became our song...... please don't vomit it doesn't look good! <G>

So thank you Trade, but more so Lawrence. thank you for the fun and laughter and making such a great night, week after week for 12 years, possible. But thank you even more for making 2 people more happy than you could possibly imagine. We will never forget it.

Love, hugs and respect to all who made Trade possible, particularly Lawrence and my best and closest friend Simon. P.

Keith Jury and Simon Dredge xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey guys just wanted to say what a fantastic birthday party.
Even my boyfriend who is not that keen on clybbing(!!!) stayed for 11 brilliant hours. We wish you well and look forward to what the future holds. Trade went out with a glorious bang not a whimper.

Take care,
Hugs and kisses,

Harry O

Thank You to Laurence Malice, all the Trade staff, and, of course, the Fierce Rulin' Ones, for the past twelve years.

Love + Respect

Nigel XXX

HI TO EVERYBODY AT TRADE, JUST WANT TA SAY THANX FOR A FIERCE PARTY ON SUNDAY.

ALL THE BEST, MALONE .X.

Dear Laurence,

After 12 beautiful years of TRADE, I am very saddened about your decision to close TRADE London.

I want to tell you something personal, that you might not understand, but I will try.
I am Italian, from the beautiful island Sardinia, in 1990 I first arrived and TRADE just opened, it was the best thing I have seen, the club was different, but the music and the people were what it made it TRADE for so many years.

Than between choosing beautiful beaches and London, I choose london because of TRADE. I also moved to Old Street, so that I could easily reach the club, and now I feel empty. The reason I decided to stay in London 12 years ago, was because of TRADE, and this has now gone. I loved every year after year of trade, and now I feel like a part of my life has been ripped in pieces.

I hope you will bring it back eventually. Trade can only be the one and only..I I will keep the spirit alive...

Thank you for the most beautiful memories especially of last Saturday..

TRADE love fan

Stefano

I can’t believe I missed the last Trade at Turnmils; I was on a fucking plane to Sydney. Trade had that effect on me as well as many others of making you want to be there more than anywhere else. It was my upbringing and my stoping ground. I have met some of the most fantastic crazy beautiful people there and made friends for life. It was the only club which could give you butterflies of excitement as the time drew near when you could get through those doors and tears of joy as you danced your ass off. No other club seemed to take the effort or to make sure us Trade Babies had a fantastic time. Through good times and bad Trade has been the only consistently great club anywhere in the world and will be sorely missed. I for one cant wait for the Egg to be finished. Thanks for everything. Love Steve X

to many moments to pick a favourite one, as i was there on the opening night right thru to the end, 12 years of wonderful hedonism

in the beginning i was there every week always after some other club but very quickly learnt the value of sleeping first and having much better trades than if i went somewhere else, lets face it anything else would only ever be a warm up anyhow.

also met my 'group' of very special friends at and thru Trade and have had many spectacular nites/mornings there, completely losing it in the well and dancing till it actually hurt, and on one occasion finding myself skipping thru muscle alley at 10am.

i will miss it but maybe my body will get a rest for a while LOL.

love and light, Denis

Sunday November 9th 1997, found me, 35, clubbing for only 3 months, straight and stood on Clerkenwell Road nervously wondering if all those whispered warnings from ignorant hettie clubbers would turn out to be right, would I get in? Would I get hassled? 5 minutes later down the stairs into THAT noise and THAT crowd. Rammed, nipple to nipple. But not rammed like a hettie club, all elbows and flailing arms, rammed as in a pushing, grinding, squeezing thing, everyone rubbing past and against each other. Onto the main floor. That low ceiling, THAT laser. 8.30am and Tony comes on. Tune after tune after tune. That sexual, chemical, combustible atmosphere whose raw energy filled every inch of the main floor. 11.30am – sat on the speakers in front of the DJ box, legs gone, senses scrambled, surfing on the energy generated by the throbbing crowd. 1.15pm – dumbstruck, dazed and once again on Clerkenwell Road, way too excited to go home to Southampton as planned so off I go to Sunnyside Up in Victoria where, at 2.15pm, I meet the woman who I will marry and who will share with me the best days of our lives …. in Trade. Trade is the place where I found the space to become a person I didn’t even know I wanted to be. All I had to do was open myself up and allow the infinite possibilities that filled the place to become a part of me. And all of this from a club? Every Trade Baby I know has faced utter disbelief when they have tried to explain to the unconverted just how something as apparently trivial as a club could be so important. I haven’t been much the last couple of years. But sitting down to write this I don’t have to dig very deep to unearth so many memories and my tummy is doing its’ old acrobatic routine, just like it did every Sunday at 5am when the alarm went off and I stood ironing while Tall Paul -Trade 2 played in the background. So a huge thank you to every single Trade Baby, the DJ’s, everyone at Turnmills, and to you Mrs Malice, you were a sufficiently bizarre mother that you were lucky to escape the attentions of Social Services, but what a beautiful tearaway child you raised. Big Kiss. Jon

When I first came into the clubbing scene about 4 years ago I went to Trade and could not handle it. A year later I walked back in to Trade a lot wiser and realised the art was not to worry about what everyone else was doing but just to enjoy yourself. There was no turning back from that day and Trade has been my home for most Sunday mornings The attraction of Trade was so overwhelming that over the past few years I have missed very few. God knows how many times myself and friends have gone out Saturday night saying we will just go home at 6 in the morning and not do Trade. It never worked, even leaving bank cards and money at home failed because the temptation was so great, you always found someone to borrow money from. Although times change the names Trade & Turnmills have been together for a long time and one compliments the other. The specials will be something to look forward to but we all hope they are not too far apart. No club will ever replace Trade or even get near it, the staff, music, venue and above all the punters made Trade what it is today.
A big thank you to Lawrence, Simon and everyone who kept us coming back year after year.

falling to my knees on the main floor in a * hole, looking up im
surrounded by semi naked muscle Mary's dancing like fairies. one of my regular cherished memories in 9 years of trade. howard sly

An abiding memory is of a member of Trade staff losing his shirt on EJ Doubell's turntable, then moments later seeing it above our heads, cutting through the laser to the far end of the dance floor.

I was at Trade weekly for the last 6 years at Turnmills. I can ony recall about 1 ¾ hours of that time,
but thanks so much for every single minute of it, I'll miss it like fuck. - SpeedGavin

My 1st encounter with Laurence in Dublin's clubland; leading to a lifetime of friendships. As satisfying as every trade experience that I have lived (&, let's be honest, will live)........
X
Colman

Well we'd never thought it would happen. But now it has!!! There is now a big void in our Saturday night/Sunday mornings. Our clubbing will never be the same again on the gay scene.
For three long years we stayed very loyal to TRADE@ Turnmills and we have enjoyed every minute of it. We have never experienced a club like TRADE before and will probably never have the same experience again.
Trade has had a major impact on our lives in a way we could never have imagined. Now Trade has finished as a weekly club, we both now find what is left of the gay scene very BORING!!!! There does not seem to be any hard house left on the gay scene which is a shame.
Hope to see everyone at a future "special" TRADE. Good luck to Lawrence and all the Trade Collective

Love Steve and Dave xxx

Thanks to you all at the 12th for leaving me with a fantastic feeling of being part of the BIG family of Trade. I have been dancing frantically on the balcony for 10 years and how I am going to miss "my" space. I had tears and emotion as I left the club for the last time. The feeling of being "underground" and naughty at 5am, meeting friends, enjoying the atmosphere, losing the plot, looking at the diverse range of people, along with the excellent music and venue, that was Trade. Trade IS Turnmills and I hope that when Egg opens it will have some of the Turnmills feeling and a balcony !
Please consider doing a monthly, already it is difficult to find the Trade vibe elsewhere but thanks for that memorable night, the night of my life.
BALCONYBOY
X X X X X X X X

first time i went to TRADE i was nervous as hell, going with my relatively new boyfriend Steve - i was determined to have a great time.He introduced me to all his friends, we had a blinding night, danced for hours, went home & fucked each other stupid. I was hooked. Another time we were terrorising people with water pistols much everyones bewiderment & annoyance & Steves & mine amusement !!! On the 12th birthday Steve was gutted he was fying off to Sydney for 3 weeks. I went without him & although it wasnt the same not having him to snog, hug & massage his head, all my new found mates were there (cheers Simon P, Keith, Simon D,Marc, Clim, Dennis,Fraser (who danced with me on THE WELL shelf ) I had a fantastic 11 hours -one of my best nights clubbing. Only regret, Steve wasnt there to see it.
MARK

I just wanted to let you know how much trade will be missed, I've spent eight amazing unforgettable years going to trade, I have never been to a club that felt so special or anywhere so magical as trade and feel completely gutted and lost now that you have closed.

I've been out since the closer of trade and have been so depressed, everywhere on the club scene seems so second rate now, Even passing Turnmills I cant help but think what once went on there, Im praying that this is temporary and that maybe you might be back soon, if not I don't know how long I can wait until your next party, but please don't leave it to long.

I shall always consider myself one of the most luckiest clubbers for getting to spend some of the best years of my life at one of the best club's in the world.. Matthew

WITHOUT SOUNDING OBVIOUS MY FAVOURITE TIME AT TRADE WAS THE FIRST TIME I WENT THERE IN JAN 1992. THE ATMOSHERE WAS SO FRIENDLY AND OUT OF THIS WORLD. THE MUSIC WAS LIKE NOTHING ELSE ID HEARD IN MY LIFE. DAZ AND TREV WERE TRULY GODS. ITS A SHAME THAT THEY SEEM TO GET FORGOTTEN ABOUT IN TRADE HISTORY. IN MY EYES THEY MADE TRADE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. ANOTHER MEMORABLE TIME WAS THE PRIDE PARTY IN 1997 (I THINK?). I REMEMBER WALKING FROM THE CHILLOUT ROOM INTO THE MAIN ROOM. IAN M WAS ON. MY COUSIN DESCRIBED THE MUSIC AS BEING NOSEBLEED MUSIC. AS SHE SAID THIS I STARTED A NOSE BLOOD. TALK ABOUT TIMING. SINCE THEN IAN M HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FAVOURITE. WE WERE ALL LUCKY TO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRADE. IVE BEEN TO CLUBS ALL ROUND ENGLAND AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER COME CLOSE.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

ROBBIE
XXXXXXX

I would just like to say a big thank you to Lawrence and the Trade Collective for some off the best nights I have had and will ever have Trade was so much more then just a club it was like stepping in to NARNIA From the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe where any thing can happen and most of the time it did!

All the best and big love to all

Twiggy XXXXX

i would first of all like to thank laurence, simon, anton, and ramon for actually letting me have that privilege of working with trade flyering there flyers i must say i had a fantastic time doing, then i would like to say a big thank you to all the people i have met whilst going to trade on a weekly basis for the last two years , like many of the regular trade babies i have met and been introduced to so many people some i have made really good freinds and would never be with out now, both the club and my fellow friends have made such a remarkable change to my life and not forgetting the amazing djs trade always had an outstanding line up of djs especially ej doubell the lady changed my life when i first heard play age of love, i would like to hug for that you actually made me cry for the first time over a record playing after that moment i was addicted o hard house music a big thank you goes to you and the rest of the djs that played at trade whilst i spent many happy sunday mornings, so has the end came to us all that sunday morning on the 26th i most bring this to an end and say once again THANK YOU to everyone who made trade, with much love and respect to us all see you all at either egg or turnmills again for those special moments.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. p.s WELL DONE LAURENCE.

I've never felt so free like on the Trade dancefloor...it has never been about being cool...it was more about a musical journey,
but not just that...I think Trade was a lifestyle!
Keep it alive!

frankie

p.s.: Looking forward for the next Trade @ Turnmills...pls give us once a month at least !

fierce&rulin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alan Burrows

I do apologise for the length of time it has taken me to pen this note. I've only just made it out of hospital following the birthday party - excessive dancing having caused ligament and muscle strains (sporting injuries as far as work are concerned!)
I must take the time to thank you for that amazing party. Never before have I worked so hard (before) and after on chaperoning people there - calling every single trade lover past and present I knew - rounding the troops up for one last bash…. Now it's all over I've got to work out what to do with this new day of the week I've discovered… Ideas on a postcard to…..!
The efforts paid off - in every room there seemed to be familiar faces…. As well as the faces of the regular crowd - outnumbered by sooh many former babies it was amazing…
Happy memories of that night include walking through Annexo to see peter ward - sipping a glass of champagne, propped up against a wall, looking like the complete goddess of beauty, style and grace… finding Jason - STILL in his regular position at the top of the stairs in the main room… some boy called josh (sweet and really good looking) trying to tell me he was a virgin, and I had a lovely body - (I don't care dear, there's a dance floor down there and it's amazing)………. bumping into Trev - a work colleague who thought it was unlikely he could make it and did (special moment)………. getting pulled for allegedly "dealing" (hello? Consuming enough to affect a small Fijian island's seratonin levels for several months yes, selling - fuck off, they're mine!)… trashdance… Steve Johnson's "we're going on - not closing for ever"……. some garbled announcement by Lawrence - which I am sorry I missed, but I was busy trying to explain to josh that Jase had just pulled - "how long you two been together?" - "'bout 27 minutes!"……. Shane, Steve and Dom - thanks for lending me your mobile to call home, "hi, think I'm going to be late for Sunday lunch. That's fine, I'm sure Labradors eat Yorkshire puddings!"….. pinching myself during e j Doubell's set to see if I was alive or dreaming her set was so totally amazing the boundary between dreams and reality was definitely blurred… more please!!!

I am so glad the closing party was such an amazing experience. My employers are breathing a huge sigh of relief too - safe in the knowledge I'm going to be more productive and spend more time working, and less time chatting on the phone to trade babies I met at the weekend… Glad as I am that trade didn't grind to a halt - instead shot out of the station (can you do that at Farringdon?),
Of course I'll miss it. I'll miss my inbuilt trade alarm, every Sunday 3am I wake up in a cold sweat, run through the shower, whilst my cab driver lets himself in and makes the coffee… I'll also miss going out and Djing at other shitty private parties, safe in the knowledge that my musical Mecca will be open for me to shake my leg - and enjoy myself for once. Because that's what trade was to me. For someone whose life is spent either in a newspaper office, or dj-ing shite music in shite venues from bars to bar mitzvahs, trade was my place - my party. I loved the music, Peter Ward's set in the lite lounge blew me away when I first heard it - for once, perhaps the first time in my life I knew exactly the sort of music I loved - the type of tunes I could really express a passion for. And I did. The Trash Dancer….. But I loved it. It made all those years of playing dexy's midnight runners seem worth it!

My first and perhaps dearest memory of trade was getting queer tested on the door on the way in….. I'm still proud of that…. Almost 9 years of people calling me a pouf - I turn up at the granddaddy of gay clubs and the doorman thinks I'm straight. Cheers!
I'm not sure of the exact date - but it was mid-April this year and keeping the party going was the aim of the game -rocking up at trade with my faghag Mel on my arm (decoration!) seemed the best plan…. This was my first time at Turnmills as well - and after getting used to the lite lounge (main room was closed when we arrived) I was remarkably impressed to find muscle alley open when I went to buy some smokes…. Steve Thomas must have been playing - the tune was one of my favourites, Bizarre Inc - Playing With Knives…. It took me the duration of the song to squeeze down the alley - looking for the dj to kiss him/her…… at which stage I uncovered the main room…… I find it impossible to convey the sudden rush of excitement I felt at discovering this - one amazing dance arena - ready and waiting for me to chuck some shapes in the air… I do remember charging back through muscle alley - barging babies out of the way and trying to drag my faghag Mel there - convinced she needed to see this amazing room that sprouted from nowhere… Mel, was too busy answering a call of nature - although despite accusing me of freaking out and losing the plot - she did come and find me later that morning - lost in the depths of the hard room at Turnmills.
From that first night I think I have missed a maximum of two consecutive weeks at trade. Because it was the club I had dreamt about. For years. It had all the right ingredients, first class music, approachable djs (thanks to all the trade crew who stoically endured my constant ramblings), pretty nice venue - (lots of random staircases, tunnels, and one nice sound system, decent refillable bottles of water with sports caps (really appreciated - I hate fabric's junior miss bottles and the 3 hour queue for the toilets), venue well kept, with litter pickers clearing it up (the state of the venues I play makes me appreciate how clean Turnmills is kept). But most importantly of all - the most crucial ingredient was the people. I know everyone says this but it is true. Trade was in every sense of the word a "club". It was somewhere to meet up with friends and socialise. It was the first place in London I met people outside of my working life - I've met some of my closest friends at trade, people I trust - in most cases with my life. It was somewhere (probably the only venue in London) where I felt completely safe turning up on my own, safe in the knowledge I would see friendly faces inside. And I did. And yes it was a release. It was somewhere where the rules were different, once you descended those stairs from the coffee bar you entered a different world. But it was a world where I was accepted, welcomed, and made to feel at home. I'd heard about trade babies, seen the write-ups, and the pix. I always imagined my flabby bod and lack of style would get me laughed out of clerkenwell. It didn't. I found trade to be one of the least pretentious places in London… which is more than I can say for a lot of places. In trade you didn't need to be a fucking little poser in order to dance.
Trade was one of those places where I think the majority of clubbers and especially gay clubbers went to - at least once in their lives. It always amazed me to see who would be down there each week - not so much the regulars - we all knew we'd be there - but the people you'd lost contact with and thought you'd never see again, work colleagues (who were equally as shocked to see me there), even my ex from Leeds rocked up there - still professing (five years on - god I feel old) "I'm 16, I'm a virgin, never been to London etc etc." I so nearly choked on my water bottle cap! - laters.
It always amazed me how people seemed to have their little "areas" or "homes". Mine was in right by the front of the dj stand in the lite lounge - if you knew where to stand you could get a nice cool blast from the aircon… peter ward would always be found propping up the corridor between the hard room and the coffee bar, Jase (xxx) never seemed to leave his home at the top of the stairs in the main room, Daniel and friends seemed to live under the staircase up to (Annexo -or somewhere?) in the main room….
It's the small things I will miss the most…. Trying (and failing miserably) to persuade Ian on the door to help with the garden… The feeling of joy and happiness at getting cloakroom ticket 9 one night… borrowing £2.50 from big Richard to buy some cigarettes (I still owe you that by the way - give me a call)… the atmosphere in the lite lounge at about 9-10 am, the loved up sweaty post-ward decadent and hedonistic profligacy, complete with backing vocals from tonnic over truly amazing disco hook lines (to me this summed up trade more than any of the harder music played) -tunes like Una Maas - I will follow, Masters at Work - Backfired, Warren Clarke/Kathy Brown - Over You… trying to break the record for the most people in one toilet cubicle at Turnmills at one time (ours was 7)… trying to hold sensible conversations with peter ward at 9.30 in the morning, which was always incredibly difficult - sometimes nigh on impossible… in a similar vein trying to tell Lawrence I was madly in love with his club - judging by the look on his face and the laughter of peter and ross behind him I think that one came out wrong! xxx
But more than anything I will miss the people - my friends. And even running once a month - won't be the same for me. The club worked by being just that. My version of my granddad's wmc. Now there's a thought for out of work trade djs. Any objections if they play on the working men's club circuit in Barnsley?

rxxx

I want to add my small contribution to the Trade memories as I feel deeply moved just coming back from London, having learnt there that my all-time favorite club had closed. I used to go to Trade every month from Paris with my girfriend Elisabeth, from 1995 to 1997, and then a few more parties on my own in 1998-2000. We would arrive as early as possible, and usually stayed to the end. I had more than brilliant moments there and met my best londoner friends - and they're still ! I remember bein' almost in tears on hearing Tony de Vit, gettin' lost in the mazed-shape Turnmills (well, looked like at the moment !), dancin' in full fetish gear as if I was flyin'. I remember the sweaty dancefloor, and then the launch of the Lite Room. I remember the boy who would always checked from the stairs every one was OK on the dancefloor, and Laurence singin' from the same stairs one morning. I also remember many faces and encounters I made here and how we were all caring for each other, the magical moments when we would join our hands in the air to the laser lights. Every party I had there was a full experience of an incredible chemistry of love and dance. All I can tell is that Trade's
changed my life, and I wish all the best to the Trade team for their future projects, and to all the Trade babes.
Sarah xxx

Trade. I used to think it was forever, knowing well that it would be alive, whenever i would look back, and remember the most wonderful memories of sharing love and music and a lot of dripping sweat week-end after week-end, when, with my girlfriend sarah, we would come from Paris by the train...
almost directly into Trade. Oh well : after hours of queuing outside.
I remember the first time we came in; it was a very hot night of the summer of 95 and we had gone to Fist before ; and the minute we entered Turnmills, things would definitely mute into another space and time, that was to uncover, then, week after week, when descending the stairs and discovering what would be "our" trade, that night or that morning, each time : the heat and the beat were at their maximum in our heads, our bodies and our souls.
We were smiling until the very last drop of music, those claps that signified : it's late, you must rest now.
I remember meeting kenny and phil, and simon and fabrice, and jan and sue, and making a Trade family, like so many of Trade friends. Then there were all memories linked. Staying all night long in Trade's damp pool, envisionned by laser beams. Tony de Vit. A morning after Pride, where a hallucinating lawrence malice appeared on the stairs, in full high heels gear. Simon's birthday... and all the birthdays and non-birthdays were everybody was uniting with everybody. Anonymous encounters, although i was,
or we were women and they were mostly men, and that's very unlikely anywhere else. My Trade member's card, that stands proudly in front of me, still, today.
I used to have this thing, this stream of anxiety in my stomach, every time we were waiting the little morning hours and getting ready to go towards Turnmills; and one night, simon said to me :" but darling, it's "Trade ache". I discovered that this anxiety was life, was desire itself. Trade changed my life. That's all
elisabeth paris, 13/11/2002

Some of my Trade favourite moments:
Back in the innocent days, the long and orderly queues to see Nick; 'My House is Your House' played in the main room at 1:10pm; the first editions of Trade Lite upstairs in the coffee area; Fat Tony and Shirley playing 'Edge of Heaven', brilliant atmosphere....
Thank you Trade for so many nice memories!
PauloXXX

Firstly, Thank you for giving us Trade.
Having only been to Trade for two of the twleve years I must have missed most of the Trade experience but my time there will not be forgotten. I remember my first time at Trade, desending the stairs from the coffee bar felt like I was stepping into hell's handbag. Seeing all these different people come together to love the same thing. When I think of Trade I think of unity. Trade was more than a club, more than a super club, I can't even find words to explain what Trade was, it was that fucking good! I have so many memories of Trade, from the toilets and seeing how many could fit into a cubical (our record was 9, presidential suite of course!) to those invisible stages in the light lounge that we all have tripped over at some point! Anyway just thought I would drop a note and say thank you for giving me part of my life I won't foget.
James

just 2 say thanx 2 trade, it changed my life totally, ive never had such a good time. my first time was 17 months ago & iv'e been every month, quite a drain on finances seem as i live 200 miles away, but it is totaly worth every miserable day waiting for the next fantastic trade. thanx again & i look forward to info when its up & running again i miss it big time, nothing compares xx Paul

I am italian and i live in Rome; back to the summer of love i had in 1990 one love Troll, imagine the surprise when i found out about Trade. I have come and gone from London many times, and always to Trade.

Daz Sound, what a sound. I remember the muscle valley near the bar , walking through all these beautiful muscular men dancing happly together.

I remember that guy in the middle of the main floor, infront of the stairs, that used to appear and dance very fast with these enormous light sticks, sometimes dressed like the devil sometimes like the mad joker...

And when i was in rome and i could not come to london i used to connect at club247.com and watch the live broadcast .

Same thing for the gay pride 2 years ago.

My room is the main room, i like that sound hard and fast that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Whoever i brought from rome with me to trade, gay or straight, always have so much fun and felt so good that either moved to london or always came back with me many many times.

The sound, the music, the fog and the laser show they are always memories of mine full of emotions; Trade has been my place since its birth, i can’t get it enough, i want more and more; i do hope to be able to spend nye at Trade this year but if not i still hope in a few months to have the mighty Trade back with a new time slot ( from 10.00-10.00) with more rooms, more choice and more sounds.

much love, Andrew

Trade has given me many memories over the past years. I remember the days of 'Diddy - Give me love' and the red heart lazers penetrating the darkness of the trade dance floor - giving me such a euphoric feeling that I can still take myself back in time and feel the love of the entire crowd that remains within my heart.

Emma Doubell has played such an important role in bringing such an amazing feeling into everyone's hearts. The way in which she manages to captivate everyone and the journey that she takes us is truly amazing. I often went knowing that I would come out feeling refreshed and energized.

The dedication of everyone over the years and the evolution of Trade has become part of my life. Only recently meeting Laurence in person has made me realise how dedicated he is and how Trade became his life. Im sure he will carry on his new venture 'Egg' with much the same enthusiasm. I will certainly be assisting with the promotion side - knowing how difficult it is and the hours of hard work entails.

I know this is not the last of Trade and look forward to Christmas and New Year. It's gonna be the best.
WELL DONE LAURENCE AND SEE YOU SOON!!

Scott xxxx

...all the veritable cliches: "it changed my life!"; "it's my church on sundays"; "the best club in the world"; "the ONLY thing to do at xmas and NY".etc, ARE for me, true in this case! there is, and has been, no other experience like it.....i feel privileged to have been able to witness such talents, as tony de vit(r.i.p) and ej doubell(to name but a few ofcourse!)...for almost 9 years, it has been the focal point of my life (and i'm certainly not the only one..!)...long may it continue to affect others, as it has affected me...with much love and respect: <<yasemin>> xox

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