From left: Donatus Anyanwu, Reece Simwogerere, Louise Barron, Tony Pommell, Amy Lamé and Mohammed Seedat
Club 414 proprietors Louise Barron and Tony Pommell have, at last, something to celebrate in their seemingly continual struggle to keep alive a venue that means so much to Brixton.
Lambeth council has designated the Coldharbour Lane club an “asset of community value”. The move is more than mere words and less than a watertight guarantee of a secure future.
It means that it would probably be harder to obtain planning permission for a change of use for the premises housing the club.
Explanation of the significance of the designation here.
As Brixton nightlife changes at speed – in the latest development Sports Direct’s arrival on Pope’s Road means the closure of Casa Brixton and the Brixton Rooftop –Club 414 is one of very few venues whose history links today with the troubled early eighties.
The move also means an apparent change of heart from Lambeth council which Louise and Tony successfully took to court in 2016 over a planning decision.
The irony, as they told Blog, was that the council itself was responsible for helping to get 414 off the ground with a £5,200 grant in the aftermath of the Brixton uprising/riot in 1981.
During the nineties, when nightlife was altogether different from today in Brixton, they kept alive the idea that a music venue could be open well into the early hours – keeping the door open for later arrivals like the Dogstar and then Pop Brixton.
Their remarkable skill and determination in keeping the club going was typified after a shooting in the club in 2013 during an event put on by an external promoter.
Their suspended licence was restored by the council after a licensing sub-committee heard both from the police, who backed the venue, and the 414’s lawyer.
Barrister Michael Paget said: “The licence holders … were part of the vanguard of bringing stability back to Brixton. They have been one of the continuous aspects of Coldharbour Lane from when they were given funding to set up in 1985 and they want to continue to fulfil that role in Brixton as a whole.”
As Tony and Louise celebrated what they hope will be a new start with the council, they were joined by Amy Lamé. London’s “night czar”, who has backed the club in its struggles to survive; Reece Simwogerere from the Brixton Business Improvement District; and Lambeth councillors Mohammed Seedat and Donatus Anyanwu, respectively job share cabinet member for healthier and stronger communities and lead member for community relations and neighbourhood lead for Brixton.
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Club 414 successful in preventing first attempted eviction
On Friday, 22 December 2017 the Club won the first significant victory in an ongoing possession claim brought by its landlord, Market Row Ltd.
For the last 3 years Club 414 has been facing closure and redevelopment. Club 414 is the oldest club in Brixton established over 30 years ago by Louise and Tony, who continue to run the club today.If the landlord had been successful, the Club would have been closed and the premises vacated as early as 19 January 2018. The case will now be listed for a trial in late 2018.
Louise Barron of Club 414 stated outside court that “this was a victory not only for the community of Brixton but also for Club 414 Members, Clubland & London’s Night Time Economy”
Club 414 were represented by Riz Majid (Solicitor) and Anthony Katz (Barrister, 36 Bedford Row)
Back in August this year, national cocktail bar chain Be At Oneapplied for planning permission to close down Brixton’s much-loved Club 414 and turn it into an upmarket bar providing “high quality cocktails.”
Club regulars and locals united in opposition to the plans, and we’ve just heard the excellent news that Lambeth Planning have refused the application.
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In a lengthy 25-page document, planning officer Gareth Ball noted that “the site has historically received a high level of public interest with regard to planning matters, adding that the “previously withdrawn application (reference 15/03548/FUL) received hundreds of comments and multiple petitions to refuse the application, with thousands of signatures.”
The document added:
The nightclub is protected as a recreational and cultural use under Policy ED11 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2015) and Policy 4.6 of the London Plan (2015) and its loss would result in a use which makes an important contribution to the culture of Brixton Town Centre, and also represents one of few remaining nightclubs within London.
The loss of the existing nightclub use would be harmful to the local and wider economy, particularly the night time economy of Brixton Town Centre, due to the loss of an asset which attracts visitors and expenditure to the area
.
The planning report noted the popularity of the club:
The present occupant of the site is Club 414. The club has been in operation for over thirty years and according to the club’s website, the applicant and numerous third party representations, it operates as both a discotheque and live music venue hosting local and touring DJs and musicians. From the responses to consultation, it appears that the club’s appeal is centred on its music offer which is said to attract patrons from across London, the UK and internationally.
This is reflected in the club’s simple layout which serves its primary function as a music venue. The club is not believed to be used for any other purpose.
The scale of public participation and objection within both the current and previous application shows there is a clear local opinion in support of the existing nightclub, with
no supporting statements in the application citing the nightclub as a bad neighbour or causing negative impacts on the amenity of the area.
It should be noted that although there are other nightclubs in Brixton, however, they are not as established, are of a different size, do not open as late or also have a non-music related function such as a cocktail bar, making Club 414 unique among Brixton music venues.
The report concludes that the plans to turn the 414 into a cocktail bar and three residential units would not be in accordance with “policies seeking to support the vibrancy and night time economy of Brixton as a major centre and night time economy cluster of sub-regional/regional importance, and the retention of the nightclub is supported from the application of Policy ED11 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2015) and Policy 4.6 of the London Plan.”
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More detail is added to reasons for the refusal:
1. The proposed development would result in the loss of the existing nightclub use and the loss of that use without adequate replacement provision would result in the loss of a positive contributor to Brixton Town Centre’s viability, vitality, character and strategic importance as a night time economy cluster and cause harm to London’s broader cultural offer, This would be contrary to Policy ED11 of the Lambeth Local Plan, Policy 4.6 of the London Plan (2016) and the Mayor’s Town Centres SPG (2014) and Culture and the Night Time Economy SPG (2017).
2. The proposed development would result in the loss of a positive contributor (the nightclub) to the character of the Brixton Conservation Area without provision of a replacement positive contributor and would result in less than substantial harm to this heritage asset that is not outweighed by the public benefits of the proposed development. This would be contrary to Policy Q22 of the Lambeth Local Plan.
We at Brixton Buzz say ‘Bravo!‘ to Lambeth Planning for making the right decision and we’ll be popping along to the 414 to celebrate with the owners very soon!
Club 414 is at 414-416 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8L
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Club 414 seeks to become ‘An Asset of Community Value’
Hello to All
Please hope you all don’t mind me asking but, may I request help….
We need 25+ (more the merrier) persons who would be willing to join a group who live in Lambeth or surrounding areas Southwark, Wandsworth, Westminster, Croydon, Camden or Merton and are on their boroughs ‘Electoral Roll’ to create a unincorporated group who would be willing to put ‘Club 414’ forward as ‘An Asset of Community Value’
You would need to forward your name, address, a letter of support on why you think Club 414 should/are an asset of community value, how Club 414 contributes to the community and why Club 414 should remain for the future.
To make life easy for all, for this information to be gathered together safely to submit to Lambeth Council it can be sent to the clubs email address.
(All personal information will not be given to anybody other than Lambeth Council Asset of Community Value Department)
info@club414.org
If this can be done it will add a bit more weight to our ongoing battle to survive. Time as always is not on our side but let’s see…..no harm trying…much love xx
It’s long been one of our favourite Sunday night hangouts in Brixton, and this weekend’s show looks to be a bit of a special treat with the Grassroots live jazz night in Bar 414 celebrating the London Jazz Festival.
Led by UB40 trumpet player Patrick Anthony, the all-star Grassroots Band serves up lively jazz/reggae/ska and includes Patrick Anthony (Trumpet), Lance Rose (Bass), Maurice Brown (Guitar), Bukky Leo (Sax), Saleem (Drums)and George Kelly (vocalist).
With the London Jazz Festival taking place on the weekend, expect to see some big name players dropping in for a jam too!
All the action takes place in the main room at the 414, while upstairs there’s a Chill Out Lounge/cafe serving Curry Goat & White Rice, Chicken & White Rice, Calaloo, Potato salad, Coleslaw, Salad, Prawns & more.
The club runs till 3am, and entry is free all night, although donations for the band are appreciated.
Event info
Sunday 12th November (and every Sunday thereafter)
Grass Roots Live Music at Club 414
414 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF
10pm-3am
Admission free
(Photo ID may be needed) Facebook event page
South London Press & Mercury News Feature
Couple fear they will ‘lose everything’ if their club closes
A dance venue which has promoted grassroots talent for more than three decades could be wiped out if a planning application from chain Be at One is approved. Club 414 was opened in 1985 and was the first club in Brixton to bring the rave scene into legal and licensed premises. In the following 32 years, owners Louise Barron and Tony Pommell have used the club in Coldharbour Lane to give a platform to emerging talent, mentored youngsters and provided a space for community events. There have been 267 objections to Be at One’s application, many outraged that the community-focused club could be replaced by “another generic cocktail bar.” There have been five comments welcoming the application. Louise Barron, 59, who runs the club with her partner Tony Pommell, said: “When we started out, the whole street was littered with (drug) dealers. “It’s the people who have worked hard and stood in solidarity with the authorities that have helped make Brixton what it is today. “If this application goes through, we lose everything. Our home, our livelihood, the whole social scene we have created here.” “There is only one Club 414. There are more than thirty Be At Ones across the country.” The pair are involved in a separate legal battle with landlords London and Associated Properties (LAP) who, in 2015, told them their lease which they had for 30 years and has now expired would not be renewed. Louise and Tony said they were surprised to
Revellers at Club 414
hear about Be at One’s application – which they learned about through a local blog – because the dispute has not been settled. “We’ve invested everything we have back into this club. We don’t understand why, when we’ve put to much into this building, they would give the lease to someone else.” “We only have six years left of working. Who’ll employ us at this age?” said Louise. A spokeswomen for LAP said they were unable to give a comment. Club 414 started with a £5,200 Brixton Challenge grant from Lambeth council, awarded to local entrepreneurs following the Brixton riots in 1981. “Back then, you felt worthless,” said Tony. “You were unemployed. But then Lambeth gave me a chance and a sense of worth. And I wanted to put it to good use.”
Loose Ends on stage at 414
Club 414 also offers free-entry to hospitality and public sector workers. “We’re out there in the night making sure everyone gets home safe,” said Louise. “Part of what we offer here is the warm welcome. Customers say they don’t get that anywhere else.” London’s Night Czar Amy Lame has thrown her weight behind the campaign to keep Club 414 trading. She told Louise and Tony: “Club 414 is a much-loved and award-winning performance space that is vital to the long-term regeneration of Brixton. “Venues such as Club 414 play a vital role in nurturing musical and creative talent and fostering community cohesion.” Rhys Oldfield, director at Be At One, said: “While we are excited to be coming to Brixton, we don’t think it’s right to comment further at this stage, or helpful for us to comment on any issue between the landlord and the current operators. “We do appreciate that for some it’s a sensitive issue.”
The multi million chain, which describes itself as the “country’s leading cocktail bar operators,” with 33 bars around the UK, wants to take over the premises of the popular night club at 414 Coldharbour Lane for the “provision of high quality cocktails.”
[Be At One owners, Steve, Leigh and Rhys]
In their planning application, they insist that their Be At One cocktail bar operation will, “contribute to the vitality and viability of Brixton Town Centre by introducing an extremely high class and calibre of cocktail bar operators into the town.”
At Brixton Buzz we weren’t aware that the town needed expensive cocktail bars to remain ‘viable’; in fact we think there’s already more than enough of them.
Club 414 is easily one of Brixton’s longest running venues – they’ve been operating for over 30 years from the same site – and seeing as the owners have stuck by Brixton during the tough years, it would seem massively unfair to see them booted out to make way for another chain.
Louise told Brixton Buzz that it was “unbelievable” that the cocktail bar plans have been submitted while their court case is still pending, and spoke with emotion when she said that it felt like they were “trying to take their home and their livelihood away from us.”
With both of them investing so much of their lives into running the club, she wondered why the landlord couldn’t at least wait until they reach retirement age before taking the club away from them.
We say…
We think that the 414 is a wonderful, old school, inclusive venue that has deep roots in the local community. Staff who work in local bars get in free. It has some regulars who have been going there for decades. It puts on free live music nights and is one of the friendliest clubs we’ve ever visited.
We feel it would be utterly heartbreaking for such an important and long serving independent venue to be swept away for yet another cocktail bar that would be unaffordable for many local residents.
Important: If you wish to object to this planning application it is vital you word it correctly, else it will be ignored. Please hold your fire because we will be publishing guidelines on composing effective objections shortly.
Reported by HarderFaster/ Submitted 15-03-17 13:11
It’s that time again and the results are in after HarderFaster asked you to look back and tell us who, what, when and where made the grade in 2016, whether that be for good or bad reasons
At your suggestion, we added a new poll category – Jaw Drop Thread – and the winner won’t come as any surprise.
Our free-text voting system means you can enter whatever you want and we always look forward to your wit and wisdom. In keeping with tradition, we were delighted to see Josie making a comeback for best festival.
As we’ve said in the past, the diverse votes continue to reveal your eclectic tastes so we’ll continue to award top honours to those who were clearly in the lead and honourable mentions to those who were near the top or where there are no clear winners.
Clubs
HarderFaster Club Night of the Year 2016
Which was the best overall event of the year?
Winner: Zoology 15th Birthday
Zoology 15th Birthday was the clear winner for as your club night of 2016, and the writer can vouch for this.
Honourable mentions go to Lost Dawn, winners in 2014, and newcomer HDM.
HarderFaster After Party of the Year 2016
If the night is just not enough then this is where you’ll be, and 2016 continues the trend – you’d rather be at a crack-on than a formal event when it comes to afters so we’re not going to award a winner in this category.
Honourable mention goes to Trance Sanctuary After Party who polled most votes of any formal after party.
HarderFaster Day Party of the Year 2016
Don’t fancy a late night? This is the daytime party where it’s all happening.
Joint Winners: Alumni and Lost Dawn
Alumni made a strong comeback in 2016, tying with our previous winner Lost Dawn.
HarderFaster New Party of the Year 2016
Joint Winners: HDM and TranceLUCID
It was neck and neck for these 2 newcomers, too hard to call for top spot so we’re awarding Joint Winners. Props to the jokers who voted for Zoology’s “comeback”.
HarderFaster Festival of the Year 2016
What was your favourite festival of 2016?
Winner: Chilled in a Field
Chilled in a Field was the clear winner, unsurprising with several of HarderFaster’s favourite promotions contributing over the weekend.
HarderFaster Venue of the Year 2016
What was your favourite clubbing venue in 2016?
Winner: Club 414.
Club 414 lifts the cup again, reflecting the massive support from far and wide after being threatened with closure by property developers.
HarderFaster New Venue of the Year 2016
What was your favourite new venue in 2016?
Whilst not strictly new, Tobacco Dock was the clear winner and has established itself as a venue of choice.
Choons ‘n Labels
The trend continues with votes being divided in these categories so we’ll continue to award prizes where there’s a clear winner, and mentions to the cream of the crop.
HarderFaster Tune of the Year 2016
Everyone seemed to have their own favourite in 2016 so no clear winners but Mind Shift – Luke Warner and Latex Zebrareceives an honourable mention.
Surprisingly there were no votes for BK – Revolution or Breather – Come On this year.
HarderFaster Remix of the Year 2016
Your pick of the tunes revamped and refreshed this year?
Another diverse vote with no clear winners.
HarderFaster Album of the Year 2016
Which album was the best of the year?
Without any consensus as to your stand out album of 2016 we can’t give any awards, but Tangled Audio Best of 2016 was very popular.
Producers
Another case of everyone having their own favourite, although continuing a theme we’re awarding Luke Warner an Honourable Mention after polling highly in our New Producer, Producer and Remixer categories.
DeeJays and Performers
HarderFaster DJ of the Year 2016
Who was your favourite DJ in 2016?
Latex Zebra gallops home to win HarderFaster DJ of 2016 by a length.
Royal Mail declined requests for a gold post box but TFL stepped up and dedicated the Nugget bus route in his honour.
Honourable mentions to his partner in crime. B.S.E. and HarderFaster’s very own Miles Gorfy.
HarderFaster Live Act of the Year 2016
Who was your favourite Live Act in 2016?
Current king Libra9 shares top spot with Natural Selection, an electro-swing combo to look out for.
HarderFaster Resident DJ of the Year 2016
Which resident DJ at which club made it their own in 2016?
Latex Zebra shares the resident crown with Lost Dawn dynamic duo Adam Symbiosis and Craig Gunn.
HarderFaster International DJ of the Year 2016
Outside the scope of regular clubbing, which world class DJ ranks as number one?
Joint Winners: Drumcode’s Adam Beyer and Sam Paganini
HarderFaster Set of the Year 2016
Which DJ played your favourite set this year and what event was it at?
It was impossible to pick a winner from so many different nominations, but Will Renville polled highly for his set at Zoology’s 15th Birthday, with Adam Symbiosis and Craig Gunn receiving worthy praise for their set at the HarderFaster Christmas Party.
HarderFaster Content
HarderFaster Feature Writer of the Year 2016
Who was the best contributor to HarderFaster’s Feature section?
Winner: Tara
Tara continues to inform and entertain with her wide knowledge of dance music and easy writing style.
HarderFaster Review Writer of the Year 2016
Who was the best contributor to HarderFaster’s Tune Review section?
Winner: Pete Morton
Pete Morton is lord and master of the HarderFaster review section.
HarderFaster Thread of the Year 2016
Which was your favourite thread of 2016?
No prizes for guessing the winner, we suspect the new category was nominated with this very thread in mind.
HarderFaster Member Awards
HarderFaster Member of the Year 2016
Who was your favourite overall HarderFaster member in 2016?
Winner: Slink.
Slink re-takes the crown, with honourable mentions to Ceekay and Fi.
HarderFaster Intellectual of the Year 2016
Which HarderFaster member gave you food for thought in 2016?
Joint Winners: Stakker and Fi
Stakker continues as HarderFaster’s resident intellectual, sharing his crown with Fi.
HarderFaster Redeemed Member of the Year 2016
Who in your eyes redeemed themselves during the year?
Winner: 5709
5709 dons his Dr Jekyll cape and receives worthy recognition for his wit and wisdom in 2016. Stop sucking your teeth; more awards coming for 5709!
HarderFaster Party Animal of the Year 2016
Who was HarderFaster’s party animal in 2016?
Winner: Latex Zebra
Latex Zebra hung up his pipe and slippers in 2016 and puts us all to shame with his party antics.
Honourable mentions to Quin and Matt, can’t keep good men down!
HarderFaster Smoothest Operator of the Year 2016
Who was HarderFaster’s smoothest operator during 2016?
Winner: Slink.
Slink. retakes his smooth spot.
HarderFaster The Dark Side of the Year 2016
Which HarderFaster member did you love to hate in 2016?
Newcomer DJ Sketchy moves straight into top place, winning Dark Side 2016.
HarderFaster Flounce of the Year 2016
Who performed the best 3-point flounce in the year?
Winner: Skaramanga
Skaramanga takes gold, beating all leavers, hands down.
HarderFaster Meltdown of the Year 2016
Who threw their toys AND pram out of the nursery window?
Winner: 5709
A resounding win for 5709 as Mr Hyde, with Skaramanga receiving an honourable mention for his excellent work in this age-old discipline.
Congratulations to our worthy winners and runners up, commiserations to those who didn’t make the mark and thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.
That’s a wrap for this year’s Annual Awards! Keep your eyes and ears open in 2017, we look forward to seeing your top picks next year.
There’s not a lot of choices available in Brixton if you fancy a pint after midnight on a Sunday, but thankfully the Club 414 has the excellent Grassroots live music night.
Open till 2am (sometimes 3am), there’s wonderful live jazz and reggae till close, with admission by donation.
Led by UB40 trumpet player Patrick Anthony, the razor-tight house band features regular players and guest musicians.
Here’s some photos from last Sunday night:
Grass Roots Live Music at Club 414
414 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF
Every Sunday 10pm-2/3am
Admission by donation for the musicians)
(Photo ID may be required)
A beacon in the Brixton club scene for 30 years, this small and friendly club serves a loyal crowd and plays host to packed, extra-fluffy all-nighters on the weekend. It’s not just thumping house and techno though, with their Sunday live jazz and reggae nights being a real treat.
It was busy right until close and as ever there was a lovely friendly crowd in the house. We hope that this venues survives its fight to stay open and not be turned into yet more luxury flats.
There’s some unexpected festive cheer on offer to the staff and customers of Brixton’s threatened Club 414 as the developers have now withdrawn their application to flatten the venue and turn it into luxury flats.
Although the developers have withdrawn their planning application, it’s highly likely that they will return with an updated set of plans, so it’s important that the pressure is kept up to save one of Brixton’s oldest venues from closure.
The recent decision by Lambeth Council to once again turn down a planning application affecting the future viability of the Grosvenor pub in Stockwell gives some cause for optimism, as does the recent appointment of Amy Lamé as London’s ‘Night Czar.’
Either way, the news at least takes the pressure off the owners and the customers of the club over the Christmas period. We’ll certainly pay them a visit to raise a glass.
Campaigners who helped London’s Fabric Club get its licence back are now lending their support to Brixton’s 414 Club, which is currently fighting its own battle for survival.
The @savefabric group posted this message on their Facebook page yesterday:
We helped fabriclondon reach 160,000 signatures, it’s now time to help save Club 414 – a gem in the heart of Brixton.
This is about more than just one club – our whole city is under attack.
We’ve heard that the club has also been in contact with London’s new ‘Night Czar’ Amy Lamé, and hope she will be able to assist in saving what is one of the oldest venues in Brixton, and one of the very few places where local night workers can enjoy a late drink in the area.
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“Sadiq Khan” delighted with agreement to re-open Fabric.
Can we now turn his attention to the 414?
“Sadiq Khan”
I am delighted to confirm that an agreement has been reached to re-open the night club Fabric. I have always said that we needed to find a common-sense solution that protects both the future of Fabric and the safety of all clubbers – as this does. I especially want to thank Islington Council for working so hard to come to this solution.
In her first week in the job, my new Night Czar Amy Lamé has already held conversations with Islington Council, the Metropolitan Police and Fabric. My Night Czar will be working with other businesses, local authorities and Londoners to maximise the economic and social impact of a growing night time economy. I’ll also soon be announcing a new Chair of the Night Time Commission to work with Amy to help deliver a vision for a truly 24-hour city.
Comedian and broadcaster Amy Lamé was today unveiled as London’s first night czar, tasked with turning the capital into a thriving 24-hour city.
The US-born, naturalised British performer said one of her first priorities was to stop the closure of nightclubs and music venues.
Ms Lamé, 45, said: “It’s a privilege to be London’s very first night czar. I can’t wait to hit the streets and have loads of ideas of what I can do for revellers, night-time workers, businesses and stakeholders.
“For too long, the capital’s night-time industry has been under pressure — music venues and nightclubs in particular are closing at an alarming rate.
“With the advent of the Night Tube, and the Mayor’s commitment to protect iconic venues across the city, I’m confident that I can inspire a positive change in the way people think about the night-time economy.”
Ms Lamé, who co-presented Danny Baker’s BBC London show for more than a decade, ran for selection as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood in 2014 and was mayor of Camden between 2010-11.
An LGBT activist, she also led the campaign to save the Royal Vauxhall Tavern from developers
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of London’s first-ever night czar.
The recent closure of the world-famous nightclub Fabric [in Farringdon] and the threats facing other venues across the capital show why Amy will be a much-needed ambassador for the city after dark.”
The two-and-a-half-days-a-week post comes with a £35,000 salary
Ms Lamé will work closely with the police, Transport for London and the Night Time Commission, a collection of local planning and licensing authorities, club and venue owners.
She is due to hold a series of monthly “night surgeries” to meet businesses, workers, residents and revellers to shape her action plan.
Jonathan Downey, the co-founder of London Union, behind food market Street Feast, said: “The appointment of a night czar is fantastic news for London and for the whole of the night-time economy. London is a great world city — creative, progressive, exciting and unique — and the night time is one of our key cultural assets. We must promote, protect and celebrate the night so that film, theatre, live music, clubs, bars, restaurants and night markets can survive and thrive.”
Wheelchair access in clubs – shouldn’t this be the norm?
According to disability charity Scope, a staggering four in five disabled people have seen little improvement in the accessibility of clubs, shops, restaurants and pubs since the Paralympics in London 2012. This is a disappointing fact to learn, particularly when Club 414 is dedicated to ensure our venue is accessible and enjoyable to all – this should be the case for any club or venue.
Although nightclubs are covered by the Equality Act 2010, which protects people from discrimination, many disabled people find some venues can be far from enjoyable – something we were surprised and dismayed to hear from a gentleman who recently attended Club 414.
Everything from a steep set of stairs, getting served at the bar and dealing with the attitudes of other clubbers can ruin what was supposed to be a fun night, and he told us that many clubs in London do not allow him access, giving the excuse that it may be unsafe for him.
Bela Gor, the legal director of the Business Disability Forum, says: “Nightclubs have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers.” and we couldn’t agree more. At Club 414, we have full accessibility, in addition to a disabled toilet set with easy access and full privacy. It is priority to us that no matter who visits Club 414, they have a brilliant and safe night, and we ensure all members of staff are always fully aware and accommodating to anyone who may have a disability or have to use a wheelchair.
Beginning with a grant from Lambeth council at the height of Brixton’s troubles in an attempt to bring people together, it is ironic that 30 years later, Club 414 is now facing closure due to the very same council now considering a planning application for 3 flats and a shop.
With the stability of London’s nightlife currently being a major focus in the global clubbing world, many are shocked at Lambeth council’s consideration to support the planning application. The building’s owners are part of a dominant property conglomerate in Brixton, owning the freehold of both Brixton Village and Market Row, and want to convert the Club 414 building presumably as part of the gentrification process in and around Brixton. If this goes ahead, Brixton will not only lose its most legendary club, but many other businesses could also lose custom that a shop and 3 flats could never replace, such as local taxi firms, pubs and takeaways to name just a few.
Despite taking the issue to the High Court earlier this year and managing to have the controversial decision to grant planning permission overturned, owners Louise Barron and Tony Pommell face the same fight again, just months later.
Club 414 solicitor, Riz Majid of Neumans LLP comments “One of the key points of The London Plan 2015 is that ‘Boroughs should encourage a diverse range of night-time activities, expanding culture and leisure venues other than eating and drinking’. The Lambeth Local Plan 2015 states that ‘Brixton’s role as a distinctive major multicultural and diverse town centre will be safeguarded and promoted through careful and sensitive regeneration’ and one of the ways this will be achieved by is ‘…enhancing the town centre’s popularity for leisure, entertainment and nightlife…”
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has famously supported the campaign to help London’s nightlife thrive once again, and although it was unfortunately not in his power to intervene licensing issues for Fabric, he now has another opportunity to support clubs in London. Recently describing London’s iconic clubs as “an essential part of our cultural landscape”, he highlighted that a staggering third of London’s small music venues have closed since 2007, and something needs to be done to prevent further closures damaging the city’s cultural offering.
Club 414 has been transformed over the years by its owners into a world renowned venue, seeing visitors travel across the globe to experience one of their legendary nights. Setting the club apart from the rest, it is also the only venue in Brixton that stays open past 4am – something which has recently impressed one of the candidates for the soon to be appointed Night Czar, who has already shown support of the campaign.
Support has flooded in from all walks of life around the world, including that of Fabric, to hopefully prevent Club 414 from meeting the same fate. Owners Louise and Tony have now reopened their petition, which previously gained 2,500 signatures, and is significantly increasing day-by-day, but more support is necessary.
Louise Barron, co-owner of Club 414, commented on the situation; “We are truly overwhelmed by all of the support we have received to save our club, and hope that this highlights to the council and developers how much Club 414 really means to the community. We have overcome this obstacle once before and can do it again with the help of those who are as passionate about London’s nightlife as ourselves – we know there are many people out there who feel the same as we do, so now it’s time to come together for Brixton and clubs across London.”
With the deadline for objections to the planning permission closed on 30th September, there is limited time to prevent the clubs closure through other routes before the matter goes to the Lambeth Planning Committee in November 2016. With support on social media using #Save414, the petition, objections to planning permission and lobbying of influential figures, Club 414 are most certainly not going down without a fight.
World renowned DJ Tim Westwood has recently spoken to NME and given them his 10-point plan on how he would save London’s nightlife, and we think some of them are pretty brilliant, so have recapped them below:
Prevent gentrification from ruining club culture
Speaking of gentrification, Westwood said “In areas outside of central London, if you move there, you shouldn’t have the residential rights to shut down clubs when the area becomes gentrified.” And we couldn’t agree more. Club 414 was established in 1985 when Brixton was a place nobody wanted to visit, let alone invest time and money in. Now it is considered ‘trendy’, but the places that made it great are being destroyed. Tim commented further on the issue saying “If an area’s got clubs, and you move into that area, you should accept that those clubs have a right to coexist and not use your residential rights to get those clubs shut down.”
Change institutionalised attitudes
Much of the issue when it comes to the closure of so many London clubs is with the councils and developers, something which needs to change in order for us all to work collaboratively to keep London’s nightlife thriving. Speaking of the matter in his plan, Westwood said; “There’s got to be a new working attitude from police and council licensing towards London’s nightclubs and that is to recognise the contribution they make to London as the coolest city in the world, the contribution they make to the night-time economy, and to young people’s lives.”
Protect clubs as essential public services
Tim Westwood has rightly said that clubs should be protected as essential public services – as we all know, Football used to have hooliganism, but as Westwood points out they didn’t stop football, they solved the problem, which is what should happen with our clubs. “If there’s a problem with a club, a high-risk problem, the police and council should work on solving that problem as opposed to shutting down that club.”
Whoever takes on the new role of Sadiq Khan’s ‘Night Czar’ should most definitely take a look at Westwood’s ’10-point plan’ which offers a lot of food for thought when it comes to London’s nightlife. You can read his full plan here, and please don’t forget to sign our petition if you haven’t done so already – with the support of big industry voices like this, nightlife in London might actually be saved.
How the Night Czar could put the ‘life’ back into London’s nightlife
The search for London’s ‘Night Czar’ is on, with applications closing in early September, and this position is one that most definitely needs to be filled in light of the damage to London’s nightlife.
The role is designed to be a lynchpin between communities, who can negotiate between the Met police, local authorities, venues and the public to find ideal solutions that work for all involved. In general, they will oversee the wider night-time economy of London, which thanks to the Night Tube is expected to dramatically improve.
In relation to the role, Sadiq Khan rightly said that ‘no single organisation or public body can solve these problems alone – we all need to work together’ and having a night czar in place to do this we hope will put the ‘life’ back into London’s nightlife.
Amongst those who have thrown their hat into the ring is renowned London nightclub promoter Roger Michael, who has said he wants to champion London’s cultural values in the role.
Amsterdam appointed their own Night Mayor, Mirik Milan, back in 2012, and are now installing an advisory ‘Night Board’ of 12 people from clubs, festivals, the gay scene and legislation in Amsterdam – possibly the next step to look at for London after the Night Czar has been chosen? People from different elements of night life need a voice, and by bringing them together in a board, this collective voice will be heard.
Mirik feels that the Night Czar of a city should have the final say on whether a club closes rather than the council, and we couldn’t agree more. If this was the case today, we’re sure that Club 414 wouldn’t be facing the threat of gentrification from developers and the council, highlighting the need for an authoritative nightlife figure even more.
The #NightlifeMatters Campaign – what, who and why?
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) are running a campaign to celebrate and raise awareness about the current state of the UK’s nightlife industry. Many of you may have seen it on social media using the hashtag #NightlifeMatters and the campaign is broken down into three areas:
Protect
Support
Celebrate
Three things which all need to be applied to our city’s clubs and nightlife. The campaign is supported by record labels, agencies, promoters and the public alike – bringing everyone together about something so many are passionate about saving. Amongst those supporters are the likes of Carl Cox, Groove Armada, Ben Pearce and more, all of whom have the platform and voice to raise awareness of the campaign.
A detailed manifesto has been put together for the campaign, highlighting 5 key areas of focus as follows:
Crimes committed against venues, not by them
This states that policy makers should pay consideration to individual responsibility rather than simply shutting down venues as a kneejerk reaction.
More flexible licencing
A global nation and cities need to be 24 hours and our professional and much loved clubs and bars should be provided with far more flexible licensing hours throughout the day and night.
Agent of change
The NTIA are asking the government to consider a new law which would make developers responsible for soundproofing new properties when building near to existing venues.
Night time economy champions
The campaign has highlighted that we need Night Time Economy Champions at all levels of government who recognise these benefits and can help shape legislation more responsibly as a result.
Fair representation
We desperately need more balanced representation when deliberating about the future of the UK’s nightlife. Young people, those who understand the realities and value of club culture, need to have their voices heard by local government.
The NTIA represent everything we stand for here at Club 414, and they have our full support in conjunction with our campaign to #Save414. The NTIA Director Alan Miller, has said that one of the campaign’s main aims is to give “the silent majority the chance to have our voices heard” and there is nothing we need more right now than to have our voices heard, and prevent the closure of Club 414.
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Can Sadiq Khan save London’s nightlife and Club 414.
Can Sadiq Khan save London’s nightlife and save Club 414, and if so, how? Before Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor of London, he spoke with Dazed magazine as part of a feature focussing on what needs to be done to save our capital’s nightlife. In the interview, he promised to “make it more difficult for redevelopment to result in the closure of heritage and cultural venues by strengthening the London Plan” and now, this is something we need him to act upon, in addition to the support already shown from other local councillors such as Lambeth’s Labour MP Helen Hayes. In the same interview, Sadiq Khan said “I want London to be a 24-hour city so I will make the night tube a priority” which is something he has since delivered on, with the night tube launch on the Central and Victoria lines on 19 August 2016 – this is expected to add £77m to the city’s economy each year by 2029. Mr Khan is currently in the process of appointing a ‘Night Czar’ who will bring together key stakeholders including club and venue owners, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police and members of the public, with their main focus being to boost the city’s night-time culture. With interviews for this position expected to take place week commencing 12th September, we can only hope that the role is filled with someone as passionate about London’s nightlife as the hundreds of club owners across the city. Although time isn’t on our side with the objection deadline for the planning application for Club 414 to be changed to 3 flats and a shop, the appointment of a Night Czar may be just what Club 414 needs to pull through this imminent battle. The Mayor has highlighted that recent club closures have emphasised the problem of “how we protect London’s night-time economy, while ensuring it is safe and enjoyable for everyone” and we couldn’t agree more – club 414 is not a troublesome venue. The threat from developers towards London’s iconic nightlife is one that is becoming greater each day, and the only way to overcome this is simply to come together as a community, something that Club 414 has been about since we opened with a grant from Lambeth Council as a community hub. Making it his job as mayor to “create an environment where nightclubs can flourish”, it is essential that Sadiq Khan will follow through on his promises and that clubs across London including our very own Club 414 has his support, from encouraging people to sign our petition to getting involved with Lambeth Council and the associated developers.
What does the closure of Fabric mean for London’s once iconic nightlife?
What does the closure of Fabric mean for London’s once iconic nightlife? Being mentioned on national news channels and on the lips of some of the world’s most famous DJ’s, the closure of Fabric Nightclub has most certainly rocked the boat of London’s iconic nightlife scene. Before the licences was revoked, a petition to save the club had received almost 150,000 signatures, so the decision to close Fabric came as a massive blow for so many. So now the question remains, what does this mean for the remaining iconic clubs in London including our very own Club 414, and what can we do to keep them alive? With the support of the public we are determined to not let this happen to us. After winning a battle with Lambeth council and developers earlier in 2016, Club 414 on Coldharbour Lane, still faces the threat of closure in order to turn our club into three flats and a retail outlet, much like Manchester’s once legendary music venue Haçienda. Are more shops and flats really necessary in Brixton, when there are already plenty? If it means sacrificing a community focussed, historic venue loved by so many, then surely not? Furthermore, the closing of Club 414 will affect so many other businesses that a shop and 3 flats could never replace, such as local taxi firms, pubs and takeaways to name just a few. Having tackled an obstacle once already, through the support of almost 2,500 signatures, Club 414 still needs your backing to prevent our closure, and even further damaging club closures around Britain’s capital. The ‘Night Life Matters’ campaign Chairman, Alan Miller, rightly said “a message needs to be sent to local councillors and MPs that we want nightlife protected and celebrated, not destroyed” and we couldn’t agree more – this is about celebrating and enjoying the historic nightlife in and around London. We can’t let it be destroyed and we won’t go down without a fight. London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has famously supported the campaign to help London’s nightlife thrive once again, and although it was unfortunately not in his power to intervene licensing issues for Fabric, it is essential that we have his support. Recently describing London’s iconic clubs as “an essential part of our cultural landscape”, he highlighted that a staggering third of London’s small music venues have closed since 2007, and something needs to be done to prevent further closures damaging the city’s cultural offering. Attracting monthly visitors from as far as Thailand, Club 414 has become a legendary venue over the past 30 years, and having initially begun with a grant from Lambeth Council, we would hate to see it’s unfair and untimely closure come as a result of their support for developers – something we are truly disappointed in. That is why we are asking for your help in all shapes and forms, from signing our petition, to registering your objections, and simply showing your support on social media using the hashtag #Save414 – every little helps, and time is limited, we only have until 30th September to register our objections.
Club 414 set for new fight to save Brixton institution
Club 414’s Louise Barron and Tony Pommell outside the High Court
Despite being knocked back by the High Court in May, the freehold owners of the Brixton institution Club 414 on Coldharbour Lane are pressing ahead with the planning application that would mean its closure.
Tony Pommell said that he and his co-proprietor Louise Barron would continue to fight the application.
Market Row Ltd, part of a property conglomerate that also owns the freehold of Brixton Village and Market Row, wants to convert the building that houses the club to residential and retail use.
The court overturned Lambeth council’s earlier and controversial decision to grant planning permission for the application. The club’s barristers said that the heart of the successful case was “the council’s refusal to consider the role played by nightclubs in contributing to the culture and economy of Brixton town centre; Ms Barron’s bold case to the High Court means that, when the council comes to reconsider this application, it cannot ignore the legendary Club 414”.
The planning permission, controversially granted by Lambeth Council planning officers under delegated powers, would have led to the loss of the Club together with the ancillary flat which is the handome of the Claimant, the Club’s owner, Louise Barron. The Club opened shortly after the Brixton riots of 1985 and has been in business ever since. Initially a reggae club, playing host to many famous Jamaican performers, in the mid 1990s it switched to music “… wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats” around the time section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 became law. It is now one of the few specialist house and trance nightclubs left in London.
The decision was made to grant permission despite huge public interest and hundreds of objections.
Jonathan Clay and Matt Lewin of Cornerstone Barristers, instructed by Riz Majid of Neumans LLP, were instructed by Louise Barron to challenge the planning permission. They advanced seven grounds of challenge and all were given permission by Mr Justice Collins in December 2015 to proceed to a full hearing to be heard yesterday (18 May).
Both the Council and the developer eventually conceded the claim. However, the Council would not agree to a statement of reasons that included unlawful delegation as a reason for quashing the planning permission. Nor did the Council accept that the Court could make an order requiring the planning application to be re-determined by its planning committee. The Council did accept that they had failed to consider the (then emerging) Lambeth Local Plan, which was adopted just one week after the grant of permission. Crucially, the Lambeth Local Plan recognises the importance of protecting the night time economy in Brixton and supports leisure uses where they contribute to the vitality and viability of Brixton town centre.
Matt Lewin appeared for the Claimant in front of Mr Justice Gilbart yesterday morning. In negotiations in the corridors of the Royal Courts of Justice, the Council and the developer accepted Ms Barron’s case that CPR r.54.19(2)(a)(ii) allowed the Court to direct the Council to re-determine the application for planning permission in the light of the Claimant’s arguments made under Ground Four (which argued that the delegated decision had been taken ultra vires or unlawfully).
Mr Justice Gilbart accepted the agreed order and quashed the planning permission. He also ordered the Council and developer to pay the Claimant’s legal costs. The application for planning permission now returns to the Council to take the decision again.
This important case will be of interest to both planning and licensing practitioners and the many people concerned by the alarming rate at which nightclubs and music venues are closing.
At the heart of this case was the Council’s refusal to consider the role played by nightclubs in contributing to the culture and economy of Brixton town centre; Ms Barron’s bold case to the High Court means that, when the Council comes to reconsider this application, it cannot ignore the legendary Club 414.
Photo of Louise Barron, Anthony Pommell, Matt Lewin (Cornerstone baristers) and Riz Majid (Neumans LLP solicitors) outside the Royal Courts of Justice.
Hi all, please take five minutes and sign this petition to the leader of the labour party Jeremy Corbyn on behalf of Councillor Rachel Haywood of Coldharbour wa…rd Brixton, who on Wednesday 1st June was suspended from the Lambeth Labour Party for standing up for her ward constituents, against party lines.
Rachel played a massive part in our success in the Royal Court of Justice.by standing by us when we needed it, so now it’s our turn to stand by her. Come on 414, let’s do it!
We the undersigned, call on Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party to lift the suspension of Lambeth Labour Councillor Rachel Heywood. Rachel Heywood, who represents one of the most deprived wards in the country (Coldharbour ward), has been suspended for doing exactly what is expected of an elected repr…
Club 414
ub, playing host to many famous Jamaican performers, in the mid 1990s it switched to music “… wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats” around the time section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 became law. It is now one of the few specialist house and trance nightclubs left in London.
