The news comes following a license review.
Photo Credit: Drumsheds – Official Website
Drumsheds, North London’s 15,000-capacity superclub, will remain open under “modified conditions” following a licensing review by Enfield Council. The review was triggered by two drug-related deaths and a non-fatal stabbing at the venue last year, prompting concerns from both the Metropolitan Police and the local council.
The council’s licensing sub-committee convened on January 7th, 2025 to deliberate on the venue’s future, following an emergency hearing held on December 12th, 2024. While the police had advocated for stringent new conditions—including reducing the club’s capacity to 9,999, implementing mandatory ID scanning, and introducing bomb-detection dogs—Drumsheds successfully resisted these measures. Instead, the venue will continue operations with adjusted terms, though the specific changes are expected to be disclosed later today, January 8th, 2025.
Cllr Susan Erbil, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services at Enfield Council, emphasized the council’s commitment to public safety. “Enfield Council’s primary concerns remain the safety and wellbeing of its residents,” she stated. “Council officers and the police will continue to monitor the premises and undertake compliance checks, but it is the premises license holder’s responsibility to ensure the conditions are upheld.”
The scrutiny surrounding Drumsheds stems from a series of troubling incidents in 2023. On October 12th, a 27-year-old man died after consuming drugs during an event at the venue. Despite seeking treatment twice from the club’s medical team, he later passed away at North Middlesex Hospital. Another attendee from the same event was left in intensive care.
A month later, on November 16th, a man was hospitalized after sustaining multiple stab wounds during an event. Police reported that Drumsheds’ security staff were uncooperative on the night, complicating their investigation. Despite considering a full shutdown of the event, officers allowed it to continue due to the size of the crowd and a lack of resources to manage its dispersal.
On December 7th, tragedy struck again when a 29-year-old woman died after reportedly mixing MDMA into a drink she brought into the venue during The Hydra’s Bicep event. According to police, inadequate searches at the entrance allowed drugs to enter the premises.
The series of incidents raised serious questions about Drumsheds’ security protocols and crowd management practices. Following the December fatalities, enhanced measures were introduced for a UKF anniversary event, but these changes led to long queues and chaotic scenes at the entrance, prompting hundreds of complaints and a petition demanding ticket refunds.
In addition to these operational challenges, Drumsheds faced criticism for “aggressive” security practices and overcrowding at several events. A website was even created to document attendee grievances, featuring photos, screenshots of complaints, and a petition calling for accountability.
Despite the controversies, Drumsheds has made efforts to address safety concerns. Last year, the venue partnered with The Loop to implement year-round onsite drug testing, a move welcomed by public health advocates.
As investigations into the October and December fatalities remain ongoing, Drumsheds is preparing to host high-profile events in the coming months, including the return of the Red Bull Culture Clash in March. With the new licensing conditions in place, the venue’s ability to balance large-scale operations with enhanced safety measures will be closely watched by both authorities and its patrons.
