UK: Hackney Venue, Jo Dipple

Hackney Arts Centre Greenlighted 

– Hackney Arts Centre
the former Savoy Cinema that will be transformed into a new arts center.

The former Savoy Cinema, which lay barren in London’s Hackney district for 30-plus years, will be transformed into an arts center with a new theatre, concert hall, bar, cafe and restaurant.

After initial doubts raised by police regarding the venue’s capacity, and many supporting letters by local residents, Hackney Council gave the green light in July.

Auro Foxcroft, the owner of Shoreditch’s Village Underground, will lead the development.

According to London’s Evening Standard, the entire project will cost £3 million and Village Underground “was awarded £600,000 by The Arts Impact Fund to help with the new venue.”

The decision to give the go-ahead was delayed by police concerns over the maximum capacity. Police wanted it to be 500, but gave in to Foxcroft’s wish to let in 1,000, according to the Hackney Gazette.

The Gazette also got to take a look at the venue application form submitted to council by Village Underground, which states that “the venue will be modeled on Camden’s Roundhouse, and will also have a “significant education and creativity element focusing on young people and the local community.”

Jo Dipple Joins Live Nation

Live Nation Entertainment hired Jo Dipple, the former chief executive of trade body UK Music, as senior vice president of public affairs.

The role spans both Live Nation and Ticketmaster internationally. “Jo has remarkable credentials in the music industry, with an unrivalled level of expertise in her field,” said John Reid, Live Nation Europe’s president of concerts.

He added, “It is great to have her join the business at a time where live entertainment continues to go from strength to strength, helping us to grow our brand across the world.”

In her five years as chief executive for UK Music, Dipple helped create a legal framework beneficial to artists and rights holders. 

– Jo Dipple

She was instrumental in the passing of the Live Music Act and collected and analyzed an enormous amount of data to highlight the importance of music on the UK economy. Prior to her role at UK Music, she was strategic adviser to the British Prime Minister, special adviser at the Treasury and worked on two winning general election campaigns.

She also wrote for national and regional newspapers in the past. Commenting on her new role at Live Nation, Dipple said: “I am joining a hugely talented team of people, all of whom are passionate about fan and artist satisfaction across the world. I look forward to contributing to its continued success.”