Brixton O2 Academy “beating heart of Brixton”, say Lib Dems

The venue has been closed since December 2022 after Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, were killed in a crush at the venue.  

Since 2017, Brixton Academy has hosted over 650 shows and attracted an audience of nearly 2.4 million, Academy Music Group says.  

The Liberal Democrats, the Official Opposition group on Lambeth Council, say they are “relieved” the venue will re-open with more stringent safety requirements because it is the “beating heart of Brixton”.  

A study commissioned by Brixton Business Improvement District (Brixton BID) found that the closure of Brixton Academy has led to an estimated £537,000 decrease in visitor spending each week. The study also revealed that visitors to Brixton had fallen by 19,300 per week on average. 

Commenting, Cllr Ben Curtis, Liberal Democrat member of the Licensing Committee, said: 

“Lessons must be learnt from the tragic events of December 2022, but we’re relieved with the Council’s decision to grant a new license for Brixton Academy. This iconic venue has been a landmark for many artists and music fans over the last fifty years. It would have been a tragedy if it had to close its doors for good. 

“I’ve hugely missed nights at Brixton Academy, and I, for one, am itching for it to re-open. Post-Covid, we’re all aware just how special those experiences are for our young people in particular.   

“We believe that, with stringent safety measures in place, it can continue to thrive as the beating heart of Brixton. We look forward to the Brixton Academy’s safe and successful return and can’t wait to welcome world-class music back to Lambeth.”