Palace Pavilion Nightclub Shut Down Amid Growing Concerns Over Safety of Black Music Venues

Strategic Insights -

London's Palace Pavilion night club has been temporarily shut down following the killing of 19-year-old Barrington Williams-Samuels, who was shot in his car by a gunman using an Uzi-style submachinegun. The shooting is the second murder to occur at the venue in 15 months, and police are now pushing for the club's licence to be revoked. A senior detective has informed the Evening Standard that he will recommend the club remain shut indefinitely. The incident has highlighted a growing crisis over the safety of black music venues in Hackney, with several clubs having closed or been shut down in recent years due to concerns about gun crime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Palace Pavilion night club will remain closed for 28 days following the murder of Barrington Williams-Samuels, who was shot outside the venue.
  • The shooting is the second murder to occur at the club in 15 months, with the previous incident occurring in October 2004 when 18-year-old Warren Graham was stabbed to death on the dance floor.
  • Police have compiled a dossier of evidence to present to Hackney council, calling for the club's licence to be revoked.
  • Detective Superintendent Mark Holmes attributed the trouble at the Palace Pavilion to its reputation as a "catalyst" for violence.
  • The shooting has sparked concerns about the safety of black music venues in Hackney, with several clubs having closed or been shut down in recent years.
  • The club's owner, Ken Edwards, has put the venue up for sale and has been accused of serving alcohol after 2am, which is a breach of the venue's licence.
  • The incident has highlighted the growing crisis over gun crime in Hackney, with the area being dubbed "Murder Mile" due to the number of shootings.
  • The police have acknowledged that they have been successful in closing nearby black music venues, such as the infamous Chimes, next door to the Palace Pavilion.

Statistics:

  • 19-year-old Barrington Williams-Samuels was shot outside the Palace Pavilion night club at 6:30 am on New Year's Day.
  • There were approximately 300 people inside the club during the shooting.
  • The Palace Pavilion night club has been temporarily shut down for 28 days.
  • The club's owner, Ken Edwards, has been accused of serving alcohol after 2am.
  • 18-year-old Warren Graham was stabbed to death on the Palace Pavilion's dance floor in October 2004.

Sources:

  • Evening Standard, December 3, 2004 (article on murder at the Palace Pavilion)
  • London Evening Standard, January 1, 2005 (article on shooting at the Palace Pavilion)
  • Police dossier of evidence presented to Hackney council (no date specified)