London loses up to £141m a year from music event cancellations

The Race Equality in Music Event Licensing (REMEL) report, released this week, says that the capital loses between £127 million and £141 million each year because events for black and south Asian artists are cancelled, moved or never approved. The analysis adds that the cumulative loss could top £650 million over the next five years if the pattern persists.

How the study was produced

The Guardian reported that the mayor’s office commissioned the two‑year inquiry and that the Greater London Authority, the Metropolitan Police Service, UK Music, LIVE and the Musicians’ Union all contributed data and expertise. Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music, told the paper that the research focused on London but that similar issues exist elsewhere in the country.

Legacy of Form 696

The report notes that the police risk‑assessment form introduced in 2005, known as Form 696, was withdrawn in 2017 after criticism that it singled out black music events. Neerav Patel, a Metropolitan Police commander, said the force will continue to base licensing decisions on evidence while keeping public safety as the top priority.

Findings on genre scrutiny

Researchers identified that genres such as afrobeats, drill and dancehall are regularly labelled “high risk” even when no concrete evidence supports the classification. By contrast, events featuring indie, pop or rock music receive far less scrutiny. The study also highlighted that reggae nights, jazz sessions and community gatherings face similar restrictions.

Promoters said they often receive little explanation when a licence is withdrawn, leading to higher security costs and limited ability to appeal. Hakeem Stevens, the report’s lead researcher, described the current process as relying on “whispers, phone calls, verbal conversations that can’t be recorded”.

Impact on venues

The report cites the case of the Colour Factory, a black‑owned venue whose licence was suspended after an unrelated incident outside the premises. The owner eventually won a legal challenge but did not recover the money spent on legal fees or staff redundancies. Kwame Otiende, a venue owner and Green councillor, said the extra scrutiny pushes operators toward safer, mainstream bookings.

Recommendations and next steps

The study puts forward 19 recommendations, including the creation of an independent review of licensing decisions, clearer standards for evidence, and a public record of outcomes. It urges the mayor’s office and the Metropolitan Police to adopt transparent, evidence‑based procedures. No response from Barnet Council has been recorded as of the publication date.