A boss behind one of Glasgow's biggest nightclubs has responded to criticism for posting luxury holiday snaps in the same week as a crowdfunder was launched to save the Sub Club.
As reported on Glasgow Live, a campaign was launched yesterday for £90,000 needed to make sure the much-loved institution survives the coronavirus crisis.
The target was later hiked to £150,000 after the Save Our Sub crowdfunder appeal smashed through the £90k mark in less than six hours.
Posting on Instagram, non-executive director Usman Khushi said: "Our beloved Sub Club is in real danger of closing down. 33 years of changing lives. For the music, by the music.
"Please support if you can or share to raise awareness of the crowdfunder campaign."
Khushi, 32, posted the plea to social media less than 24 hours after he shared an image of a private jet among snaps from a Berlin holiday to celebrate the birthday of friend and DJ Peggy Gou.
The pals were seen enjoying a magnum of champagne while dining out and visiting a private art collection for a “Gong Bath meditation” in the German capital.
The snaps prompted questions from Glasgow clubbers who had donated money to the Sub Club cause.
The photos have since been removed from Instagram and Khushi has issued a public statement in response to criticism.
He said: “I wanted to make a personal statement to clear a few things up today following the Subbie crowd-fund, and to stop anything taking the shine off what has been an amazing effort from everyone at the club and all those who have generously donated so far.
“I took a minority stake in the Sub Club last year because it became available out of a need for support and funding which I could provide at the time.
“I’ve never made a penny out of the club and never will - I’ve only put money in.
“I don’t have any day-to-day involvement other than as an unpaid advisor to Mike and Barry who run the club and are pulling together a herculean effort to ensure it comes out the other end of this crisis.
“With regards to the crowdfund, I donated personally as soon as it launched and reached out to many of my contacts in various walks of life to join me in donating if they could afford to do so.
“I was on a guest trip to Berlin last weekend where we travelled on a private plan and I shared this on my Instagram. I don’t own a plane, and didn’t charter one personally but in hindsight I can understand why these posts taken together, out of context, have caused some confusion and are insensitive, which I regret. We live and learn.”
The Jamaica Street club has been a mainstay of the UK's music scene since it opened in 1987 and is one of the world's longest-running underground dance venues.
Lockdown measures have created a shortfall of more than £250,000 in the company's income for 2020 - and news that it could soon close upset many Glasgow clubbers, past and present.
Mike Grieve, managing director of the Sub Club said: “Everyone at the Sub Club has been blown away by the response to the crowdfunder and from the bottom of our hearts we thank all who supported the club.
“Messages have been coming in from all over the world and it’s testament to how special this place is for so many. It feels like what we’ve been trying to do with the club over the last thirty odd years has meant something to people. The money donated will allow us to keep going and be there for when we come out the other side of the pandemic. Everyone who makes a donation gets something, like downloads, tickets to future events, their name on a wall or a T shirt. It’s important to us that we haven’t just been going cap in hand.
“Unfortunately there’s been some criticism directed at our non-exec director, Usman, and while we understand how this might be perceived in the context of a financial crisis, it’s important to clear this up.
“Usi joined as a non-operational director of the Subbie in a time of need last year. He did so as a person who works for various successful businesses and someone who’s emotionally invested in ours. His advice and support at the time made the difference between going under and being here today. He has never taken a penny out of the Sub Club and only every put money in. His minority shareholding has allowed the operational directors to get on with doing their job which is running the club and ensuring it’s there for many more years to come.
“The work he’s been doing behind the scenes around our crowdfunder has been phenomenal. His contacts mean that we’ve been able to secure support from many more influential people both in dance music and beyond and we’re grateful to him for all his help.
“We couldn’t ask or expect him to bail us out, so we did what we know how to and engaged with the people who have come through our doors over the years, and we so appreciate the fact that they answered the call.”
