Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Halloween party at Club Ziek on Antwerp’s Stuivenberg site was cancelled at the last moment due to safety issues. De Mayer said emergency lighting and exits failed, with over 100 expected visitors.
As VRT News reported, the Halloween party at Club Ziek on Antwerp’s Stuivenberg site was cancelled at the last moment after concerns were raised about safety. City officials confirmed that the event could not continue because the required safety measures were not in place. The organisers decided to stop the party shortly before it was scheduled to start.
“At the end of May, we were able to fill the site with businesses and nonprofit organisations that contribute to the neighbourhood,”
said De Mayer, who is involved in the project.
“A lot of people were expected at the Halloween party, more than at other events.”
Liesbeth De Maeyer, spokesperson for the city of Antwerp
What caused Club Ziek’s Halloween party to be cancelled last minute?
Among the new venues on the site is Bar Ziek, a café that has become popular with people of all ages. The bar was one of the first businesses to open there. The owners opened Club Ziek, a small nightclub where people can dance and enjoy music until 1 a.m.
“We’re an accessible place where everyone is welcome, from locals to students and creatives,”
they say.
” A lot of people were expected at the Halloween party. Much more than at other events,”
says De Maeyer.
“We worked with the organisers to assess the safety of the space.”
City inspectors discovered several safety issues at Club Ziek on Antwerp’s Stuivenberg site, which led to the cancellation of the Halloween party. The inspection report showed that some safety systems were not functioning as required. The emergency lighting did not work in all areas of the building.
“If a situation arises where people need to find the exit quickly, it’s really important that all those lights are working,”
said De Mayer, who is responsible for activities on the site.
The report also found that the club had only one usable emergency exit, which does not meet the safety standards for large gatherings. Regulations require more than 1 exit when a venue holds over 100 people. As a result, the city decided to stop the event before it began. De Mayer said that the city will work with the organisers of Club Ziek to solve the problems.
“We don’t want to take any risks. People’s safety comes first.”
The Stuivenberg site in Antwerp has a rich historical legacy linked to Stuivenberg Hospital, which opened in 1876 and operated in the city for around 150 years. The majority of hospital services relocated to the new ZNA Cadix campus in 2022, leaving the historic buildings empty. As the former hospital began a new chapter, the city of Antwerp acquired a large part of the former hospital site in early 2024 for a new use. By May 2024, several tenants were using the site, including cafés and community associations.
