Future of Brixton Academy to be decided after deadly crush
A two-day hearing of a Lambeth Council subcommittee will decide whether the venue is safe for use.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.