The Blue Note Jazz franchise will open its first UK venue in Covent Garden next year following a public appeal for later opening hours.
The venue, which will contain two performance spaces with capacities for 250 and 100 people respectively, will remain open until 1am six days a week, and until midnight on Sundays.
The venue was originally granted more restrictive licensing hours, sparking a petition and widespread support across the jazz world, and leading to Blue Note appealing against Westminster Council’s decision.
Blue Note Entertainment Group president Steve Bensusan said: “We’re excited to be coming to London and grateful to Westminster Council for recognising what Blue Note can bring to the city’s nightlife.
“As we prepare to open in early 2026, we’re looking forward to bringing world-class jazz and a deep cultural legacy to one of the greatest music cities in the world.”
Many musicians and venue owners criticised Westminster Council’s original ruling as being detrimental to the UK’s dwindling grassroots scene.
A report commissioned by the House of Commons last year found grassroots venues were closing at a rate of around two per week.
The Music Venue Trust’s venue support team manager Sophie Asquith said: “Music Venue Trust is delighted to learn that Blue Note has been granted a licence with the hours needed to enable its world-famous jazz operation to flourish in central London.
“Their plans and commitment have been thorough and conscientious throughout, and so we were very pleased to speak in support of the application at their recent hearing.
“The charity wishes them every success in their vision, bringing the very best in global and local grassroots jazz talent to their latest home in London.”
Jazz venues tend to prefer later operating hours as it allows performers to appear multiple times in the course of an evening, and generate a greater income.
Historically, it also provided an opportunity for rookie musicians to perform after the main acts have finished, which many veterans view as a rite of passage.
Musician and booker Leo Green, 52, said: “If you want to end up with the kind of artists who have the ability to fill rooms like the O2, the Albert Hall or the Palladium, you have to come through the small venues.”
A spokesperson for Westminster Council said every licensing decision is carefully considered, and the council must keep in mind the needs of their residents as well as businesses.
They added: “In this case it was clear that venue management have engaged extensively with local people to improve their application and address the concerns that were raised by the police.”
The Metropolitan Police had launched an objection to Blue Note’s original application on the basis audience members leaving the venue late at night would lead to an uptick in crime and antisocial behaviour.
Despite it being relatively common for the police to make such objections against licensing applications, their reasoning drew widespread ire.
Jazz musician Ray Gelato, 63, said: “I’ve been in this business over 40 years, and I’ve never seen an ounce of trouble ever.
“Music gets people away from that.”
Westminster Council announced their decision to approve the new premises licence application on 1 May, and included in their statement their After Dark Strategy, which sets out a roadmap for improving the city’s nighttime environment.
Council cabinet member for planning and economic development Geoff Barraclough said: “This is exactly the kind of venue we want to see more of in Westminster and which is encouraged in our After Dark strategy as part of a more varied evening and night-time offer across the city.
“As a jazz lover myself, I can’t wait to visit.”
Blue Note Jazz operates ten renowned venues across the world, including in New York, Milan, Shanghai, and São Paulo.
The London venue is due to open its doors in early 2026, with further details to be announced later this year.
Picture credit: Dervon Dixon
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