The O2 Academy in Brixton has reopened for the first time since a fatal crush 16 months ago that killed two people.

guard Gabby Hutchinson23 and Rebecca Ikumelo33, killed When fans without tickets try to force their way into the show Created by Nigerian Afrobeat artist Asake on December 15, 2022.

A 21-year-old woman remains in hospital with injuries sustained in the incident, which is still being investigated by Metropolitan Police.

Gerald Gouriet KC, a representative of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, said that there were about 1,000 people outside the venue that night, and police discovered “massive disturbance” and the crowd eventually pushed open the door.

As the door was broken down, the crowd surged into the hall, toward the auditorium and over those who fell to the floor.

Tribute bands Nirvana UK and The Smyths took the stage on Friday night after Lambeth City Council voted to allow the venue to continue operating following a two-day hearing in September 2023.

A week after the incident, the council temporarily suspended the license.

But the council said the 5,000-capacity venue would have to meet “77 extensive and robust new conditions” to achieve this.

Main conditions

Lambeth City Council said Friday night’s concert and another tribute show next week are “test events” with capacity capped at 50%.

Here are the key conditions the council said the venue met to protect the public and its staff:

• Install stronger doors
• New crowd management system
• New ticketing system
• More detailed risk assessment
• New centralized control and command center
• New security and management of the venue

Some of the conditions were initially raised before the hearing by the venue’s owners, who said they would spend £1.2m on maintenance and improvements in 2023 despite being closed.

The initial decision to close Brixton Academy was supported by the venue’s owners, the Academy Music Group (AMG), who offered to close the venue voluntarily during the shutdown.

Following the verdict, AMG said it was “extremely grateful” to Lambeth Council and looked forward to welcoming fans back.

Ahead of the reopening, Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for community safety, Mohammed Hashi, said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gabby Hutchinson who lost their lives, as well as those who remain in hospital. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been traumatized by witnessing such a distressing scene at a live music venue in our borough.”

He added: “The committee has worked hard to ensure these conditions are now met and will continue to monitor the safety of the venue.

“We are holding regular meetings with the venue to ensure the assurances that the council and ultimately the public require. On Friday evening the council will have officers both inside and outside the venue to check that all conditions are being adhered to.

“The Metropolitan Police is leading the investigation into the tragic events that occurred in December 2022 and whether any criminal offenses were committed, and work continues.

“Lambeth City Council fully supports this investigation to help ensure a tragedy like this never happens again in our borough.”

When news broke that the city council was considering permanently revoking the venue’s license, a petition to “save” the venue attracted more than 116,000 supporters. Members of well-known bands such as Blur and The Chemical Brothers also expressed support.