Brixton’s O2 Academy has had its licence temporarily suspended following a crowd crush at a gig earlier this month, which killed two people.
At a licensing review, it was revealed that concerns about the strength of the front doors to hold back crowds were raised almost three years prior to the incident.
Security guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died in hospital after ticketless fans attempted to gain entry to a show by Nigerian artist Asake at the South London venue on December 15. Police say that Hutchinson, Ikumelo, and a 21-year-woman who remains in hospital, were in the foyer of the building when the crush took place.
In an emergency meeting at Lambeth Council earlier today, the venue’s licence has now been suspended until January 16, which is when a full-council meeting will take place to decide the venue’s long-term future on Brixton High Street.
Speaking to consider a request made by the Met Police, Cllr Fred Cowell, Chair of the Sub-Committee, said: “Given the severity of events on December 15, 2022, the risk to public events rising from a lack of crowd control at the front of the venue remain high if the venue were able to operate as before.”
The venue will be closed for a total of 28 days, with upcoming shows either being postponed or cancelled.
“We are shocked and saddened by the devastating incident in Brixton on Thursday night and are working to support our communities in the wake of this tragedy,” reads a statement from Lambeth Council on its website. “The council is also fully playing its role in the investigations that are now underway. We are determined that answers must be found as to why these awful events occurred.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson who lost their lives, as well as with those who remain in hospital and those suffering the trauma of witnessing such distressing scenes at one of our borough’s live music venues.”
