Oh yes, Hernan is back for 2010!! Returning to his residency we welcome back the one and only Hernan Cattaneo to The Gallery.

Following last week's news that a new housing development could threaten the future of the Ministry of Sound a petition has been set up.

If you wish to sign the petition head to ministryofsound.com

The petition includes this inspiring excerpt: "We refuse to just sit idly by and let this happen. Ministry of Sound is not just a nightclub. Millions of people have passed through our doors over the 18 years we have been open. 300,000 people a year visit us annually, bringing trade to Elephant & Castle and the surrounding area. In the past we have, and will always strive to, create the moments people live for, and that people never forget. We are the people that come here, the people that work here, the music that is played here and the lifelong bonds that are made here. If we lose Ministry of Sound, we are losing a vital piece of youth culture in this country. Nightclubs may have existed before Ministry of Sound, but they were never the same afterwards."

The Chief Executive of UK Music, Feargal Sharkey, has come out in support of the club with this statement: “Ministry of Sound is a London landmark, a UK success story and a globally recognised brand. Any threat to such a core part of its business should be considered very carefully.”

The Ministry of Sound could be closed down forever if a property development company gets its way.

Oakmayne property developers are planning on building a residential block directly opposite the club. The chairman of Oakmayne, Christopher Allen, has dismissed the club's future by commenting "nightclubs come and go"

Whatever your views are on the Ministry of Sound, its heritage within dance music is unrivaled. With an annual attendance of over 300,000 and an 18 year history, it became the blue-print for clubs around the world and is one of the planet's most successful clubs.

As well as being an important clubbing venue, Ministry is also the largest independent record label in the world and is also a leading company in the regeneration of the Southwark area. It's housed conferences from Mothers Against Guns and Urban Mission and next month a Crime Stoppers awareness day has been set up for local under 18’s.

Lohan Presencer, Ministry of Sound Group CEO, says “When Oakmayne told us that “nightclubs come and go”, we were horrified. Ministry of Sound is not just any nightclub; it’s the most famous nightclub in the world and the heart of a global entertainment business. These developers have cut corners at every stage and counter to their claims, they do not have the best interests of the local community at heart. We must do everything in our power to save our club and our business”.

The mighty trance label Anjunabeats continues its long running love affair with The Gallery with an all-out label night on Friday 12th Feb.

Our first Gallery outing for February brings something a little on the techno side of life. After several hugely successful visits last year we are delighted to be welcoming back the Italian tour de force of all things tech Mr Mauro Picotto and Slovenian producer-DJ Umek, one of the biggest names around - his brand of techno has always blown the roof off The Gallery!