New Bid To Save Madame Jo-Jo’s

Last month the council canceled the club’s license following an incident outside the venue. However, new plans for the area appear to be a bigger threat to its survival. In October security staff became involved in a dispute with a customer, which allegedly resulted in bouncers attacking the man with baseball bats. The manager and security staff were replaced with workers approved by Westminster, but the council still decided to withdraw the license of the venue that has hosted some of London’s most bizarre and offbeat nightlife for more than 50 years.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of Westminster Council’s Labour group, said the incident in which the customer was attacked was “appalling” but that should not be used to justify “the remorseless process of Soho gentrification.”

“Madame Jojo’s is a Soho icon and these premises should not be turned into yet another chain restaurant. We support the reopening of the premises under the same licensing terms should another responsible owner wish to take over.”

Efforts to save the club may turn out to be fruitless as last year the council approved plans submitted by Soho Estates, which owns the building, to redevelop the area around Walker’s Court and Brewer Street. Plans include the redevelopment of 50,000 square feet of Brewer Street that would mean the demolition of the building that has been home to Madame Jojo’s. The council claims the decision to shut the venue was taken solely on the evidence relating to the issues and to the conditions of the licence.

“The police outlined serious concerns at the Brewer Street site and so we had to take action,” it said. Madame Jojo’s supporters say the timing of the closure is fortunate for Soho Estates, as the company’s redevelopment plans are scheduled to begin next year. They say the new development is symptomatic of the “wave of devastating blandification of the area.”