The O2 Academy Brixton is preparing to reopen in April, more than 16 months after a deadly crowd crush in the venue’s foyer killed two people. The reopening date is Friday, April 19, with the O2 Academy having to comply with 77 “robust” safety conditions implemented by Lambeth Council. The O2 Academy Brixton closed in December 2022 following a crowd crush that left two dead and another in critical condition. These deaths were the catalyst that temporarily suspended the venue’s licenses.
The venue was closed for over a year, with the local authorities deciding its fate. The Metropolitan Police had requested the permanent closure of the venue, while there was also a petition to save the venue from potential closure. The petition massively succeeded in gaining more than 115,000 signatures, with the first test event occurring on the venue’s opening night. Tribute bands covering the likes of The Smiths, Oasis, Foo Fighters, and Nirvana will play at the venue.
The 77 safety conditions had been designed to promote and ensure public safety. The conditions cover police liaison, risk assessment, and event management. Lambeth Council’s Horatio Waller KC had stated in September that they had not shied away from their duty to identify what went wrong, who is responsible, and ensuring that lessons can be learned.
The O2 Academy Brixton’s reopening will have to be under the strict compliance of these safety conditions, with the events that do take place being a test to judge whether the O2 Academy Brixton is fit for future use
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