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.
The venue is currently closed and we are set to undertake an urgent, in-depth review of its licence, which covers the legal conditions it must meet to run, including its public safety arrangements. This follows the Met Police submitting an application for a ‘Summary License Review’ on Tuesday.
The council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Thursday, December 22 to consider immediate measures that need taking in relation to the venue, ahead of a full review of the premises’ licence which must be completed within 28-days.
The interim measures can include changes to the conditions of the premises licence such as restricting the venue’s capacity, extra stewarding, stopping alcohol sales or the suspension of the venue’s licence. This review will be part of ongoing efforts to both seek answers and ensure such an incident never happens again.
A separate criminal investigation is being carried out by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command with officers reviewing CCTV, phone footage, speaking to witnesses and carrying out forensic examinations. An online page for the submission of photos, videos and information has been set up and we would ask anyone who can help to use this site.
To read more about review visit moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ where meeting details for December 22 will be posted.
Cllr Claire Holland
Leader of Lambeth Council
Bayo Dosunmu
Lambeth Council Chief Executive
Cllr Mahamed Hashi
Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Safer Communities
