Apollo appeal quashed

Music venue fails to win licence to open till 2am

Hammersmith Apollo’s bid to run events for several thousand people until 2am up to 20 times a year was quashed by District Judge Susan Williams on Wednesday (June 4).

The Apollo had initially applied to H&F Council’s Licensing Committee but had been turned down. They then appealed to local magistrates. Judge Williams also awarded costs to the Council.

Labour councillor Lisa Nandy  attended the hearing last Wednesday at the West London Magistrates Court and spoke against the Apollo’s plans on behalf of local residents.

Residents in the vicinity have long standing concerns about the Apollo's management of its current licence.

Queues to enter the Apollo stretch down Fulham Palace Road on busy evenings and residents have reported people urinating outside their homes, getting jostled when trying to cut through crowds to enter their estate and discarded fast food getting thrown into their gardens - which they say has attracted rats and other vermin.

Last year, residents of the nearby Peabody Estate complained to the management of the Apollo as they were being woken up by the venue’s rubbish being removed by a contractor at 3.00am.

Emma Midgley

June 5, 2008