Tragedy at Brixton O2 Academy: Two Dead After Crowd Crush
A deadly crush at an Asake concert in December claimed the lives of Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23, a security guard, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, a mother of two. A third person was seriously injured in the chaos.
Licence Suspended and Under Threat of Revocation
The venue’s operator, Academy Music Group (AMG), had its licence suspended in January for at least three months. This suspension will continue unless AMG implements new safety procedures to guarantee safe reopening.
But new developments have worsened AMG’s plight. On April 17, the Metropolitan Police declared they had “lost confidence” in AMG and urged Lambeth Council to revoke the licence entirely.
“On Monday 16 January, the licence of the Brixton O2 Academy was suspended for three months,” a police spokesperson confirmed.
On 14 April, the Met submitted an application to Lambeth Council to review the premises licence, seeking full revocation.
Licence Review Battle Looms at Lambeth Council
The case is set for a Lambeth Council sub-committee hearing, date yet to be confirmed but expected around 15 May. Councillors hold the power to dismiss the Met’s call for licence removal, a major decision looming.
AMG insists they are cooperating fully. Speaking to the Standard, a spokesperson said: “Academy Music Group has fully cooperated with the Metropolitan Police and Lambeth Council since the tragedy at Brixton occurred.”
“We’ve had regular meetings and presented detailed proposals that we believe will allow the venue to reopen safely. We await police feedback on those proposals.”
Safety Concerns Remain As Police Doubt Measures
Meanwhile, AMG filed their own licence variation application on 22 March, hoping to keep the doors open. Police warn this attempt “has not been successful in identifying the remedial measures necessary” to guarantee safety.
“In January, the sub-committee required the venue to cease all licensable activities until a variation application with workable changes was submitted and approved,” a Lambeth Council spokesperson said.
The variation application will be reviewed alongside the licence revocation request. Until then, the O2 Academy Brixton remains closed for licensable activities.
Ongoing Investigations and Pressure to Act
The Metropolitan Police continue probing what sparked the fatal crush, including allegations of poor security and ticketless fans trying to gain entry. Officers have requested video footage to help piece together the tragedy.
Lambeth Council is conducting a thorough health and safety review, overseen by former chief executive Paul Martin.
Just hours before the disaster, Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake was due to headline the final of three London gigs that week. Witnesses say a large crowd formed outside, forcing staff to seal the doors ahead of the crush.
If AMG loses its licence, the venue may be handed over to new operators. For now, the future of Brixton O2 Academy hangs in the balance amid fierce scrutiny and public outrage.
