Plans for a new 24-hour nightclub, Brixton Storeys, set to open above the Prince of Wales pub in Brixton, South London, have come under fire from local residents concerned about safety, noise, and crime in the area. The club, which is slated to accommodate up to 750 patrons, promises to feature “top-tier music, immersive spaces” including a “Red Room, Boudoir and SKY Terrace,” aiming to usher in a “new era for London clubbing.”

Local resident Mark Beaton, 60, voiced his apprehensions, stating that the area has experienced a decline since the Covid-19 pandemic and is now a haven for drug dealers and individuals he described as “crackheads.” He recounted a distressing incident where he witnessed multiple people using drugs in the hallway of his building, expressing concern that any business other than bars or restaurants would exacerbate existing issues. “I’ve come out of my door and seen six people smoking crack in the hallway, having kicked the door down; everyone calls this road ‘crack alley’,” Beaton explained.

The development of Brixton Storeys has raised alarms particularly due to the rising noise levels in the area, which have made life challenging for residents, especially over weekends. “It doesn’t feel safe here anymore. I would love to move somewhere quieter, but I’m in social housing,” Beaton lamented, sharing how the noise from the pub’s rooftop terrace has previously disrupted his sleep. Another anonymous resident echoed Beaton’s sentiments, saying, “It’s crazy. We have noise all the time. It’s really, really hard to fall asleep during the weekends. I have to sleep with earplugs.”

Concerns over safety have been amplified by a recent fatal stabbing in the area, reportedly involving drugs, further illustrating the dangers that locals associate with the evolving character of Brixton. Beaton stated, “I guess they don’t really care about us,” referring to the lack of regulation around nightlife venues in the locality, despite having brought the noise issue to the attention of Lambeth Council.

However, opinions among residents are not uniformly negative; some view the new club as a welcome addition to an area that has undergone significant gentrification. One resident noted that there’s a historical context of nightlife in Brixton, suggesting, “There was always a lot of nightclubs down here when we were growing up. It’s gentrification; they got rid of us, then the nightclubs.”

Brixton Storeys’ owner, Stevie Thomas, responded to the mixed sentiments by stating, “We wanted to bring a fresh narrative to Brixton nightlife but stay connected to the area’s heritage.” Tim Goom, Client Development Director in Ticketmaster’s music department, added, “Brixton’s rich musical heritage sets the stage for Brixton Storeys to be a game-changer for the local scene.”

As the opening approaches later this month, the future impact of Brixton Storeys on the local community reflects a larger debate about urban development, residential quality of life, and the complexities of revitalising cultural spaces amidst existing challenges.

Source: Noah Wire Services