Police have warned a bid by a Camden music venue where Paul McCartney and Prince have played to sell alcohol until later at weekends might "amplify" drug use and robbery.

The Electric Ballroom started life as an Irish club more than 75 years ago and has hosted musical greats over the decades, as well as club nights - but says it now faces "a difficult future" after the Covid pandemic.

The venue in Camden High Street currently serves alcohol until 3am on Mondays to Saturdays and to 2am on Sundays. 

It has applied to serve alcohol until 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays to help business.

The venue has already had two temporary event licences with the extra hours, without any problems.

Cutting alcohol sales by an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been proposed instead.

The management said in their application that they want the change because “stated frankly, the venue is now facing a difficult future since Covid 19”. 

They said they have the highest ratable value for any licensed premises in
Camden which means “there would be no net increase in sale of alcohol at the venue”.

The extra hours could help the changes in nightlife after the pandemic, they said.

They added: “The post-Covid world has affected some of the longer running club nights at the venue. The newer club promoters want a greater flexibility to have slightly longer hours.”

Managers are also asking to be allowed to have an extra 400 customers on busier nights to attract new promoters.

They said club nights, which currently can take up to 1,200 people, are “rarely at capacity”.

The club says it has a ”a robust operating schedule and is run to highest standards” and it has "years of experience" of operating in Camden so are aware of how to manage a premises in the area.

It has also offered to look at the current licence conditions and update them if needed.

The Electric Ballroom's licence was granted in 2005 is so old that managers told the committee “we doubt any current officers in the licensing team were in post” when some of the conditions were issued.

Police said they were concerned about the application as the night spot is near an area “often littered with drug dealers, openly offering a variety of drugs”.

They highlighted violence connected with drug dealing and street robberies in Camden Town late at night.

A report by PC Dominic Hallam from the Camden licensing team, said: “These issues can be amplified when the hours are extended, the people leaving the venue are more likely to have a higher level of intoxication leaving them more vulnerable to those who would take advantage.” 

Promoter Alan Day has written to support the application.

With upcoming shows for Terrorvision and Fear Factory at the venue he said it is “one of my favourite venues in the UK for its capacity” and an “important stepping stone” for bands before they play at theatres and arenas.

Camden’s licensing committee will discuss the application on Thursday (September 7).