Famous music venue wins licensing appeal over increase in capacity

The Electric Ballroom music venue in Camden has won a licensing appeal to a Magistrates' Court over plans to increase its capacity.

At a hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court earlier this month in Castle Rock Properties Limited trading as The Electric Ballroom v Music Venue, Electric Ballroom v The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Camden, the council conceded the appeal.

The venue's application to Camden had sought an increase in capacity at the premises from 1100 to a maximum of 1500 attendees for live music, but at the same hours.

The Electric Ballroom is in the area’s cumulative impact zone, but there were no objections from the Environmental Health department, or the Police, which sought additional conditions.

However, councillors on the licensing committee in January waived the policy to allow an additional 100 people to attend live gigs, but not the potential extra 400 that the premises was said to need to be viable.

At the appeal, Camden changed position, allowing the change in capacity to go ahead in full.

The Magistrates’ Court made a "substantial" costs award against the council, for leaving it late to change its stance, according to the Electric Ballroom.

Kate Fuller, on behalf of the venue, said: “This is a brilliant outcome for the Electric Ballroom, and also for grass roots music venues everywhere. We tried to show that we are different, and that our patrons just want to enjoy music. It seems the message is getting though.”

The Electric Ballroom was represented by Sarah Clover, barrister at Kings Chambers Birmingham, and Niall Forde, Licensing Consultant.