Geldof joins fight for Camden venue
By Amanda Diamond
BOB Geldof has joined the campaign to prevent the closure of a popular north London music venue that started its life as an Irish dance hall.
The well-known Electric Ballroom in Camden has been served a compulsory purchase order by London Underground in order to develop the site.
But Sir Bob said the redevelopment to the area by LU posed a serious threat to the esteemed venue, as well as posing a threat to Britain’s music scene.
LU intends to proceed with a £130 million-development plan to demolish the neighbouring Camden Town Tube station and build a seven-storey retail complex in place of existing buildings.
LU insists the redevelopment is vital to meet the needs of increasing tourist numbers to Camden Town and claims the current over-crowding of the tube station puts people off going to the area.
But supporters say a vital part of the area’s musical history will be destroyed and traders will be forced out of Camden’s unique street market as bigger chain-stores move in.
A public inquiry into whether the development can go ahead will rule in April after both sides have presented their case.
In a letter to the inquiry published by The Times newspaper Bob Geldof said: “As a musician who has played the Electric Ballroom on a number of occasions... I am very concerned by the threat that London Underground’s development plans pose to the venue.
“Music venues such as the Electric Ballroom are the life-blood of Britain’s live music scene, providing vital opportunities for new and up-and-coming bands to get the necessary live exposure to allow them to develop their careers.
“In my view the closure of the ballroom would be a substantial blow to Britain’s music scene.”
Other supporters of the ballroom include Dame Judi Dench and Madness.
The Electric Ballroom began its life as a dancehall in wartime Britain for courting Irish couples. Irish amateur wrestler Ben Fuller bought and opened the venue in 1938 under the name of the Buffalo Ballroom but changed its name to the Electric Ballroom in the 1970s.
It was a focal point of the punk revolution and has seen the likes of U2, The Clash, Oasis and the Boomtown Rats raise the roof over the years.
Manager of the Electric Ballroom Kate Fuller said: “London Underground thought we would just go away when they got the compulsory purchase order but we are still here.
We will show that the proposals are bad for Camden because this is a fight we must win.”
A London Underground spokesperson said: “A lot of work and a lot of consideration has gone into the planning of this development, not least because the area is a conservation area.
“The new station cannot be built with the Electric Ballroom remaining in situ.
“It needs to be demolished at the beginning of the construction programme. But the new site will contain a venue bar which gives the Electric Ballroom the opportunity of returning to the site after the build is complete.
“LU will offer help finding alternative accommodation during the construction period. Should it not be possible for the Electric Ballroom to find alternative premises they will be compensated for the loss of their premises.”
|
