The licence, granted as an exception to Camden’s Licensing Policy, permits the venue to open until 4am at weekends and 2.30am midweek. The application was supported by 152 representors including Amy Lame, the Mayor of London’s Night Tsar, the Night Time Industries Association, the Arts Council of England, the Bloomsbury Association, Music Venue Trust and many local residents, musicians, educational and amenity groups.

The site of the building on the corner of Flitcroft Street and Denmark Street in London’s Covent Garden, has a legacy of hosting live music going back over a century. In the 1930’s it operated as “Billie’s”, an illicit nightclub for the gay community.

London has lost some 35% of its grassroots music venues over the past 20 twenty years. There were more live music venues operating in London during the Blitz than in peacetime 2024. Across the UK two live music venues close every week. This important decision helps to buck that trend and sets to regenerate an overlooked street in London’s Covent Garden blighted by anti-social behaviour. The Council’s decision follows the publication of its Evening and Night Time Strategy 2024-2029 which states: 

“It’s time to celebrate and protect our heritage while reimagining the future together, creating space for the next generation of leaders and rebels to emerge.”

This licensing decision puts that aspiration into effect.

The applicant was represented at the hearing by Gary Grant of Francis Taylor Building instructed by Jack Spiegler and Will Robinson of Thomas and Thomas Solicitors.