Astoria music venue in battle for survival
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Your support makes all the difference.The future of the Astoria theatre in London, one of Britain's best-known live music venues, is under threat after claims by police that it has become a hotbed of violence.
The music impresario Vince Power, whose Mean Fiddler organisation owns the Astoria, said last night that he was "absolutely stunned" by Westminster City Council's attempt to close venue in Charing Cross Road.
The council has taken court action against the Astoria, citing police evidence that officers were called to the theatre 152 times between September 2001 and May 2002.
The Astoria has hosted shows by Prince, David Bowie, Oasis, U2 and Eminem. It is due to stage a sell-out concert by the Rolling Stones in August.
The Astoria's problems stem largely from a double shooting during a birthday party and show held by the garage collective So Solid Crew in October 2001.
After the incident, Westminster's licensing sub-committee refused the theatre's application for a new public entertainment licence.
Mean Fiddler successfully appealed against the decision at Horseferry Road magistrates' court last month. But Westminster confirmed yesterday that it had lodged its own Crown Court appeal in an attempt to close the venue.
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