Love Machine nightclub won’t give up on future despite false closing claims
A Prahran nightclub that was the scene of a fatal drive-by shooting has denied reports it will close, with staff saying their “tight bond” is helping them look to the future. And they’ve had a cheeky swipe at those spreading rumours.
Inner East
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Love Machine has had a tough few months.
The Prahran nightclub was the scene of a drive-by shooting in which two men were fatally shot in the early hours of April 14.
And the business took another blow last week when The Age reported the club would be closing down.
A Love Machine spokesman, who wished not to be named for safety reasons, told Leader this week the claims were not true.
The club even posted a cheeky Facebook post with a picture of Pinocchio, the lying puppet, with a #fakenews hashtag.
“When The Age published their article, owners and full-time employees were together in the office working … we laughed,” the spokesman said.
“You have to shine the light in negative situations when you can.
“No work day has changed for us despite anything we have faced.”
The spokesperson said a tight bond had helped their employees deal with the aftermath of the shooting, which claimed the lives of security guard Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, and nightclubber Richard Arow, 28.
“Our hearts are filled with empathy in the direction of those families and friends affected,” they said.
“To witness, experience and live in the moment of what occurred is no event anyone ever wishes to find themselves a part of, whether that be as an individual or business.”
The spokesperson said the business was trying to look forward to the future.
“Love Machine is an iconic venue and we are not giving up,” they said.
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“We were faced with an extremely unfortunate situation that was out of our hands.”
The spokesperson said support from the community was greatly appreciated.
“As a team from ownership to management, bar staff and other services we are living our lives the only way we know how. And that is to take life one day at a time.”
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