Electric Brixton: Famous gig venue given protected status to safeguard future

A long-running gig venue that has hosted acts from Soul II Soul to Suede has been given protected status to help keep it open for future generations.

The Electric Brixton has been made an Asset of Community Value by Lambeth Council which gives it more protection from developers.

It means the freehold owners must tell the council if they want to sell it and the local community can trigger a moratorium on any sale for six months giving them the time to try to raise the money to buy it.

Councillor Donatus Anyanwu said: “The Electric Brixton is a part of the modern cultural history of Brixton and makes an important contribution to our vibrant town centre's economy.

“By recognising this institution as an asset of community value we hope to ensure future music fans can enjoy themselves and appreciate the fantastic cultural contribution this iconic live music venue has made to the richness of our borough.”

The venue, on Brixton Hill, has been a cinema, nightclub and gig venue in its more than 100 year history and at one point it was home to The Fridge nightclub

before that closed in 2010. 

Electric Group co-founder Dominic Madden, said: “Electric Brixton is a hugely significant venue within the cultural landscape of London. This iconic venue has been operating for over 100 years, evolving with the times, from the Palladium Picture House, to the ABC Cinema, to the Ace which was a seminal rock gig and hosted David Bowie, to the Fridge which launched Soul II Soul and the new romantic movement. 

“Electric Brixton is the latest incarnation of the journey of reinvention and has hosted a wide and varied range of acts of all sizes. Electric Brixton is hugely valued by Londoners and the Brixton community. We look forward to playing an important role for another 100 years.”

Among the acts to have played the Electric are Liam Gallagher, 2manyDJs, George Ezra, Emily Sande and Kendrick Lemar.