UK’s biggest nightclub faces closure after ‘drug deaths and stabbing’
A 15,000-capacity superclub in London could have its licence stripped in the New Year following a spate of safety incidents.
Two deaths and a ‘non-fatal stabbing’ at Drumsheds, in Tottenham, in recent weeks are currently under police investigation.
Detectives believe the death of a 29-year-old woman who was taken to hospital from an event on December 27 is linked to drug use at the venue.
The death of a 27-year-old man at an October 12 event is also believed to be drug-related, according to the Evening Standard.
The Metropolitan Police say officers were called to the club on November 16 after a man was attacked with a bladed weapon.
Enfield Council held an ‘extraordinary licensing hearing’ on December 12 after police chiefs contacted the authority.
It resulted in a decision to hold an emergency licensing review on January 7.
Council officers also said the club could continue to operate until then under specific conditions.
During this time, only one event has been held at Drumsheds – a 15-year anniversary party for UK bass label UKF on December 13.
Despite taking place the day after the council’s hearing, the event was met with a barrage of social media complaints referencing ‘terrifying’ issues linked to overcrowding and ‘aggressive’ security staff.
More than 2,300 people have signed a petition calling for refunds for their tickets to the event due to ‘unsafe conditions’.
Attendees said they queued for more than two hours to get in and that a ‘surge’ began after the doors were shut after the headline act began.
One user commenting on the petitions said: ‘I’m still anxious as fuck, covered in bruises and feeling violated by an incompetent dog handler and security.’
Another attendee wrote on Instagram: ‘I love DRUMSHEDS and regularly go, but last night was by far the worst experience I had.”
‘So disappointing to be made to wait 2h+ to get into the venue (missing the artists I wanted to see) only to feel extremely unsafe in the venue. What on earth happened?’
No more events are scheduled to take place until well after the review.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Public safety is our priority and following a request from the Metropolitan Police, Enfield Council held an extraordinary licensing hearing for Drumsheds, operated by Broadwick Live.
‘This follows three serious incidents at the venue in recent weeks, with our officers investigating two unexpected deaths and a non-fatal stabbing.
‘The council decided the venue could retain its licence, subject to additional conditions. We have had contingencies in place for the most recent event, including an enhanced police presence.’
In a previous statement referencing the December 13 event, a spokesperson for Drumsheds London said the venue experienced ‘a number of challenges on the night, including longer-than-usual queues and congestion due to a combination of factors, including enhanced security procedures’.
Metro has approached Broadwick Live, which operates the venue, for further comment on the licensing issues.
The head of Enfield Council’s Planning Services said council officers and police will monitor the venue to ‘ensure [its] conditions are in place’.
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