Met Police oppose opening of jazz bar over claims it could "add to crime, disorder and public nuisance"

The Metropolitan Police has opposed plans for a late-night jazz bar in Central London, claiming "vulnerable" attendees could become victims of crime.

Plans for a London branch of famed NYC venue Blue Note Jazz Club were first submitted in November; set to be located on St Martin's lane, close to Charing Cross and Covent Garden stations, operators requested a license to open from 9:AM until 1:AM daily.

First opened in 1982, Blue Note is considered one of the world's "premier jazz clubs" with everyone from Tito Puente to Moodymann having performed at its Greenwich Village home.

Having established offshoots in Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Milan and more, the proposed Soho location would be the first time the venue has expanded into the UK.

According to a report from The Standard, police told Westminster Council's licensing committee on Thursday (February 13) that allowing the proposed venue to remain open until 1:AM “could add to crime, disorder and public nuisance.”

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In Westminster Council licensing documents from a hearing on February 6, the Metropolitan Police submitted concerns around "possibly intoxicated customers leaving the venue late at night/in the early morning" becoming a target for "the increasing number of illegal taxis or ‘taxi touts’ who prey on vulnerable, intoxicated lone females."

The Met instead urged councillors to consider an 11:PM license, which according to documents Blue Note's owners have appealed.

Several local residents also submitted objections to the proposed venue, with one writing: "It is suggested that it is extremely likely that some of the dispersing jazz lovers may be inebriated to a greater or lesser extent of perhaps slightly disorientated by their emergence in to the cool night air."

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"They will be immediately vulnerable to the gangs of criminals who already prey on similar groups of people in the Soho area. The 1.00 am exit could become a crime hot spot," the resident added.

Another resident insisted that "entry to the venue should not be permitted after 11pm so as prevent those who are interested only in continuing drinking as late as possible," while another claimed the venue's proposed floorpan containing multiple bars "brings into question whether the sale of alcohol is ancillary to live music or indeed the music is ancillary to the alcohol!"

Legal representatives for West End Jazz Limited, who will operate the venue, insisted that "London's cultural fabric is on the line" in the decision over Blue Note's operating hours.

"Grassroot music venue infrastructure will fall even further and remain below replacement rate if new venues like this application are not supported," they claimed in a letter to the licensing committee, highlighting recent findings from the Music Venue Trust that one grassroots music venue was closing each week in 2024.

According to The Evening Standard, a decision will be made over Blue Notes Jazz Club in the next five days.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter