Decision over future of Brixton Academy
A two day hearing into whether the venue can reopen is getting underway.
Councillors are set to decide on the future of the Brixton Academy after a deadly crush at the venue.
Security guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, were killed at the venue on December 15 last year when fans without tickets tried to enter a show by Nigerian artist Asake.
The south London music venue faces permanent closure after the Metropolitan Police urged the council to remove its licence.
A two-day hearing of Lambeth Council's licensing subcommittee will begin on Monday and will decide whether the O2 Academy Brixton is safe for use.
Councillors previously suspended the venue's licence for three months and the decision was supported by the venue's owner, Academy Music Group, which offered its condolences to the families of those who died.
About 1,000 people were outside the venue and police found "large-scale disorder" with crowds eventually pushing the doors open, according to Gerald Gouriet KC, who represented the Met at the earlier licensing meeting.
A police investigation was launched and the Security Industry Authority opened an inquiry into corruption allegations made after the crush.
Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar said: “My thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Gaby and Rebecca and the individual who remains in a critical condition in hospital following the awful events at Brixton Academy. It is essential that the venue operators, the police, the council and the community work together to understand what went wrong and ensure it cannot happen again.
“During the course of this week Lambeth councillors will hear a wide range of evidence over several days. They will weigh that evidence against the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003, and decide whether the plans put forward by the venue’s operator - Academy Music Group (AMG) – will enable the venue to be reopened safely.
The Brixton Academy is a well-loved and important live music venue for artists, fans and the local community.. Whatever the outcome of this week’s hearing, the Mayor and I are committed to working to ensure the venue can reopen safely."