The iconic music venue's revamp has faced fire and a pandemic. Press Association
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After six years of planning and a £70m refurbishment since it’s closure in 2019, the iconic music venue KOKO will be reopening in April 2022.
London’s KOKO has hosted music legends including Kanye West, Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa. Madonna even played her first UK gig at the venue.
The space is housed in a 120-year old Grade II-listed building in Camden. It began as a theatre in 1900 before being converted into a cinema and then a music venue.
Owner Olly Bengough, who rebranded the venue in 2014, said the renovation project had undergone “monumental challenges”.
Owner Olly Bengough says the redevelopment is aimed at creating “a truly unique music experience that has never been seen before.” Press Association.
A fire engulfed the venue in January 2020 and destroyed the iconic copper dome roof. Although the roof has now been repaired, the renovations were delayed.
The venue’s iconic copper dome roof was destroyed in a fire in 2020 before being rebuilt. Press Association.
Significant water damage and the coronavirus pandemic have further delayed the revamp.
Despite these challenges, Olly Bengough said the venue was “coming out better than ever”.
The new venue will be a four-storey 50,000sq ft space, including live streaming facilities, a radio station, shops, pizzeria and tap bar.
Some of the smaller spaces will give a platform to emerging artists in keeping with KOKO’s history.
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HeadlineKOKO: Historic music venue to reopen
Short HeadlineKOKO to reopen after years of closure
StandfirstThe iconic music venue KOKO will reopen next spring after a £70m refurbishment
After six years of planning and a £70m refurbishment since it’s closure in 2019, the iconic music venue KOKO will be reopening in April 2022.
London’s KOKO has hosted music legends including Kanye West, Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa. Madonna even played her first UK gig at the venue.
The space is housed in a 120-year old Grade II-listed building in Camden. It began as a theatre in 1900 before being converted into a cinema and then a music venue.
Owner Olly Bengough, who rebranded the venue in 2014, said the renovation project had undergone “monumental challenges”.
Owner Olly Bengough says the redevelopment is aimed at creating “a truly unique music experience that has never been seen before.” Press Association.
A fire engulfed the venue in January 2020 and destroyed the iconic copper dome roof. Although the roof has now been repaired, the renovations were delayed.
The venue’s iconic copper dome roof was destroyed in a fire in 2020 before being rebuilt. Press Association.
Significant water damage and the coronavirus pandemic have further delayed the revamp.
Despite these challenges, Olly Bengough said the venue was “coming out better than ever”.
The new venue will be a four-storey 50,000sq ft space, including live streaming facilities, a radio station, shops, pizzeria and tap bar.
Some of the smaller spaces will give a platform to emerging artists in keeping with KOKO’s history.
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