Hearing into the future of Brixton Academy begins: “A venue of economic and cultural importance”

nme.com:

fatal crowd crush that occurred at an Asake concert back in December.The event — which left two dead and one in critical condition — ultimately led to the academy having its licence suspended.

The Metropolitan Police have since claimed to have “lost confidence” in the safety of the venue and made a push for the location to close its doors for good.Speaking on behalf of AMG, Philip Kolvin QC told the hearing that the operators were open ideas “to make the venue even safer” through “partnership and solution-finding”, adding that the findings that would be presented to the council were “the product of many months of work from the venue, from events specialists and independent experts across all the relevant fields – including security, crowd management, engineering, licensing and health and safety.”“What we’ve placed before you is not a pitch – it’s a seriously and thoroughly considered professional approach to preventing the recurrence of the events of December 15, 2022,” he said.He continued: “This is a very traumatic case, for so many people, and in particular those who’ve suffered loss – whether directly, or indirectly.

Understandably the case has aroused a level of interest because the Academy is a venue of economic and cultural importance, and plays a significant role in the ecosystem of grassroots music nationally.“Understandably, there has been much comment in the press and on social media on all of these topics, and there has been a level of political interest and concern.

However, as you know and will undoubtedly make clear, this is a licensing hearing, at which a dispassionate approach is called for, setting aside all that has been seen and heard and determining the case on the evidence before you.”Kolvin.