Petition to prevent Brixton Academy closure tops 50,000

A petition to save the O2 Academy Brixton from permanent closure has topped 50,000 signatures. 

The venue’s licence was suspended after two people died during a crush outside the building ahead of a performance by singer Asake in December last year. Eight others were hospitalised.

The petition was started after the Met Police said it was seeking for the licence to be permanently revoked.

Created by Stuart O’Brien and directed to Lambeth Council, it said that the venue’s closure would result in “another part of the musical landscape and history” being “lost forever”.

It suggested means of ensuring that the tragedy wasn’t repeated, including revoking the security firm’s licence and bringing in security recommended by police.

The petition has been supported by musicians and bands including The Chemical Brothers and Garbage, the BBC reported.

“Brixton Academy is such an important and historic venue for south London and live music,” tweeted Primal Scream's bassist Simone Butler. “There is a police station literally opposite, surely with new management / infrastructure + security it can be improved? Instead of just shutting it down?”

The licence application is currently in a consultation period, after which a decision will be made at a council sub-committee.

In the weeks following the crush, concerns had been raised over the strength of the venue’s doors, as well as staffing levels.

The medical cover provider confirmed recently that no paramedics or nurses were present and only five people were working when the crush occurred.

Industry guidelines recommend twice the number of medical staff, including a paramedic and a nurse.

Academy Music Group (AMG), which runs the venue, said that it had co-operated fully with the police and Lambeth Council and had presented “detailed proposals that we believe will enable the venue to reopen safely”.

The group is currently awaiting feedback on its proposals, it added.