Police Object Behind the Opening of a Blue Jazz Club in London Sparks Concerns Over Rising Crime

Met Police Concerns Over Blue Note Jazz Club

Met Police voiced objections to the proposed Blue Note Signian Jazz Club in London, citing concerns that it may contribute to a “growth of crime.”

• READ MORE: Great Britain at a critical low, facing the “complete collapse of the tour” – here’s how you can help

According to Standard, the MET raised issues against the jazz bar, planned for Covent Garden, due to fears that “vulnerable” patrons could fall victim to crime.

The venue is set to accommodate 350 guests in the basement of the ST Martins Lane hotel, with hours extending until 1 a.m. from Monday to Friday. This establishment aims to be a byproduct of the renowned Blue Note jazz cafe in New York, which debuted in 1981 and is regarded as one of the world’s most prominent jazz clubs.

Nonetheless, the MET opposed the operation’s late hours, arguing that it “can add to crime, riots, and public disorder” in Westminster.

Local Community Feedback

During the hearing on Thursday (February 12), MET representatives informed Westminster City Council that extended hours would lead to more individuals being exposed to crime and disturbances nearby, emphasizing that concert attendees would exit late at night. This raises risks for kidnapping and predatory taxis that specifically target intoxicated individuals, especially women.

Several local residents also expressed their concerns regarding the proposed closing hours, requesting the authorities to curtail the venue hours to 11 p.m.

One resident commented: “It is highly probable that some scattered jazz enthusiasts may be somewhat impaired or disoriented after enjoying the cool night air. They will undoubtedly be vulnerable to criminal gangs already preying on individuals in the Soho area.”

Supporters of the proposed venue argued that operating until 1 a.m. is “an essential aspect of its function.” They stated, “The cultural fabric of London is at stake. The infrastructure for live music is dwindling at an alarming rate, and new venues like this must be supported.”

The decision regarding the licensing application is expected to be made by the council within five days.

This objection arises amidst alarming statistics revealing that Great Britain is losing one major music venue every two weeks, resulting in nearly half of such venues facing urgent closure, contributing to a “collapse in the tour” industry.

Presenting their findings in the 2024 annual report last month (Thursday, January 23), the music trust called on new patron Kate Nash, who passionately highlighted the dire conditions many artists endure while performing live and advocated for financial support amidst shrinking opportunities. Speaking in the House of Commons, she noted that touring, once a beloved activity, is becoming increasingly challenging.

With significantly diminished income from recorded music due to the rise of streaming, Nash lamented that many artists can no longer afford to tour, labeling it a “damn shame.” This predicament, combined with more venues closing down due to a “catastrophic scenario”, has prompted a full-scale “collapse of the tour” across the UK.

Acknowledging the need for stronger support systems in the music industry, a government investigation from last year regarding the overall state of live venues led to the proposal of a CMS Select Committee. They recommended a fee structure for stadiums and arenas, with a March deadline set for voluntary compliance before the government may impose mandatory regulations.

• Read more: 2025 could bring significant changes to the funding of British live music, but will we see action, and where will the money go?

Despite contributions from high-profile artists like Coldplay, Sam Fender, and Katy Perry, the benefits from fundraising will not be felt immediately, and the MVT report indicates that venues continue to struggle.

Last year, approximately one venue closed every two weeks, with “emergency cases” rising by nearly 20 percent, leaving 200 venues in critical danger of closure. The report also highlights that venues are investing heavily in food, drinks, and merchandise to subsidize live music, all while dealing with mounting financial pressures, including energy costs that have increased by 440 percent in recent years—from £114,814,162 in 2023 to £162,067,095 last year.

Consequently, the UK has experienced an 8.3 percent decline in the overall live music scene since 2023, coupled with a more severe 13.5 percent drop in ticket revenue.

“So many people told me: ‘2024, what an amazing year. We had a CMS Select Committee, fees on board, isn’t that incredible? We’re all united in this, isn’t that surprising?’” said MVT General Director Mark David to the audience in the House of Commons. “No, 25 venues have closed in 2024. Anyone in this room who thinks that’s good, please raise your hand. That’s one venue every two weeks. We’re not acting quickly enough on these issues, it’s that simple.”

Following last year’s investigation, the CMS Select Committee on the state of live venues initiated the formation of the Live Trust to ensure that any future income from fees is directed to where it’s most needed. The Live Trust aims to provide critical funding and advocacy for the live music sector, which contributes £6.1 billion to the UK economy and supports 230,000 jobs.

Radio DJ and former NME journalist Steve Lamacq, one of the founders, stated that they are looking to “help the entire industry while ensuring we understand how to best distribute our funding.”

Learn more about the current crisis confronting live music venues from the annual MVT report, featuring Kate Nash’s participation in parliament here.