The O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire will reopen in April following emergency structural repairs.
The famous music venue was dramatically shut down minutes before a gig in December .
But following extensive repairs to the roof of the Grade II-listed building, on Shepherd’s Bush Green, it is scheduled to reopen on April 19 with a sold-out show by Australian singer songwriter Troye Sivan.
There is no official comment from Academy Music Group (AMG), which owns and operates the Empire, but a look at the Events section on the venue’s website shows it is set to finally reopen after nearly four months.
The Empire was closed just minutes before The Courteeners was due to take to the stage on December 4, sparking anger from fans of the band who had travelled from all over the country to see the show.
Gillian Brolly wrote on Facebook: “Tonight’s is an absolute joke and unfair on all the fans especially those who travelled including me and my daughters who came from Ireland especially to see Uns, booked a hotel and flights trains and taxis, shepards (sic) bush empire are a disgrace and should’ve informed those who had tickets earlier that it was cancelled not at the last min!!!”
'Thanks for your patience'
Initially, there had been fears that the music hall would be closed until the new year, but in January AMG announced it would remain shut until April to allow the emergency repairs .
A statement on its website said at the time: “Following further inspections, structural engineers have advised that works to the roof structure will extend into March 2016.
“The repairs require propping the roof from inside the main auditorium and we are working with independent experts and advisors to complete this maintenance as quickly as possible.
“We are sorry that these extended restoration works mean that further shows up to March 31 2016 will either be moved to other venues in London or rescheduled as necessary.
“Once again, we thank artists, promoters and fans for cooperation and patience and wish to reassure everyone that safety is our priority.”
Other groups lined up to play at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in April include Wolfmother and Cast.
