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The boss of an iconic jazz bar says he’s been left “surprised” and “confused” after his late licence application for a London site was turned down, making him question support for live music in the capital.

Steven Bensusan – president of Blue Note Entertainment Group and son of the original Blue Note Cafe founder Danny Bensusan – told Sky News: “If they’re not giving us a late licence, I can’t imagine how they would be supportive of other smaller venues, which are important for the ecosystem in general.

“For music to survive and continue to thrive and grow, you need the feeder venues. They need the smaller venues, and you need the venues like the Blue Note. It’s important for the music.”

The planned venue at a former gym on St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, had been set to become the bar’s flagship European site.

The club had applied to Westminster City Council to remain open until 1am serving alcohol.

However, in February, the Met Police objected to the jazz club’s application over fears it could cause an “uptick in crime”.

Responding to the refusal, Mr Bensusan said: “In every city that we’ve ever opened the club they’ve rolled out the red carpet and really tried to go above and beyond and want us there because they realise that we’re good for the economy.

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“We generate a lot of jobs and we bring not just nightlife but a cultural moment to the city. I’ve never experienced this before.”

Ezra Collective have played at Blue Note venues around the world. Pic: Michael Kusumadjaja
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Ezra Collective have played at Blue Note venues around the world. Pic: Michael Kusumadjaja

‘There seems to be a bigger problem’

Many of the capital’s nightlife venues have been struggling since the pandemic and Brexit, amid the cost of living crisis, rising rents and decreasing footfall.

Mr Bensusan says the rejection of his late licence highlights a bigger issue: “There seems to be a problem in general. A lot of music venues have closed over the years since COVID and they’re not coming back. Many people believe it has to do with a lot of restrictive policies like this.”

While Mr Bensusan has flagged the “more mature and respectful” nature of the jazz audience, police concerns seem to be around guests falling prey to crime rather than perpetrating it.

In their objection, the Met said jazz fans “leaving the venue late at night” could become a target for phone snatchers as well as illegal taxis who “prey on vulnerable, intoxicated lone females”.

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At least one UK grassroots music venue closing per week

Local residents also urged councillors to limit the venue’s closing time to 11pm, with one saying they feared “inebriated” club visitors, “disorientated by their emergence into the cool night air” would be “immediately vulnerable to the gangs of criminals who already prey on similar groups of people in the Soho area”.

Mr Bensusan says a proposed closing time of 11.30pm would be “impossible”, and would not allow for musicians to play two sets per night.

He said he was also “a little confused” as to why the Blue Note was denied a 1am licence while others in the area had a later licence.

For comparison, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club just down the road in Soho has a licence up to 3am.

Mr Bensusan has now filed an appeal.

A change.org petition set up by a jazz fan in support of the club has so far attracted over 2,500 signatures.

Robert Glasper performing at Blue Note. Pic: Dervon Dixon
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Robert Glasper performing at Blue Note. Pic: Dervon Dixon

Plans to nurture emerging talent

The Blue Note site in London had proposed a 250-capacity main showroom “featuring legendary artists”, plus a smaller 100-capacity room to showcase emerging artists.

Mr Bensusan told Sky News: “There are so many great UK artists that we want to help build. I think we can do that given the platform that we have, and our ability to tour some of the artists to markets where we are around the world.”

Many UK artists who have played in the Blue Note clubs over the years, including Ezra Collective, Jamie Cullum and Nubya Garcia, have since found international success. Mr Bensusan says he wants “to help that continue to grow”.

He goes on: “Our goal is to focus on the best artists from around the world and give them the platform to play long runs. They’re not just coming to the city for a concert and then leaving. Typically, our runs go between four and six nights a week, for two shows per night.”

The original Blue Note Jazz Cafe opened in 1981 in New York City, and now has nine sister venues around the world including in Tokyo, Shanghai and Milan. A new venue in LA will open this summer.

Mary J Blige performing at Blue Note. Pic: Dervon Dixon
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Mary J Blige performing at Blue Note. Pic: Dervon Dixon

The bigger nightlife picture

A 2024 report from the Night Time Industries Association showed the UK night-time cultural economy was worth £33.3bn, down from £37.2bn in 2019.

The association says that over the past four years, the UK has lost 37% of its clubs, which works out at a rate of around 10 clubs per month.

And last year, City Hall was told by industry representatives that night venues were being pushed to the brink of closure due to issues including strict licensing laws.

In response, London mayor Sadiq Khan has set up a dedicated “nightlife taskforce”, made up of 11 independent industry professionals, to address issues facing the industry.

They will be advised by bodies including the Met Police and Transport For London.

In support of Blue Note’s renewed application, the Music Venue Trust said: “Having a new grassroots music venue in Westminster is extremely important both for a sense of community the venue brings to its local community and also the mental health benefits of being able to attend and enjoy grassroots music and arts.

“Through our engagement with West End Jazz Limited (Blue Note Jazz Club) we have viewed the proposals for the space which contain absolute commitments to grassroots live music programming.”

The next steps as to the future of the club should be known over the coming months.

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, is getting under way, and the conflict in Gaza seems to be feeding into what’s happening.

From shows cancelled to artists divided, it’s no joke.

Rachel Creeger has had a distressing start to her stand-up run.

Two weeks ago, out of the blue, she says the venue Whistle Binkies rang her and fellow Jewish comedian Philip Simon to cancel their slots.

rachel creeger
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Rachel Creeger says her Edinburgh shows have been cancelled by the venue

She told Sky News it’s come down to “what we bring to that venue by being ourselves”.

The pair were allegedly given three reasons for the cancellation.

One was linked to a “vigil for IDF soldiers” that she says the venue initially claimed had been held during her performance last year but, according to Creeger, later had to ad­mit hadn’t taken place.

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“That never happened,” she insists.

Rachel says she was told her previous performances there had resulted in the venue having to pay for graffiti to be removed from toilet doors every three days.

“Again, we didn’t see evidence of that at all,” she says.

“We’re not the ones writing it… but if it was bothering them and they worried it was bothering us, then maybe we’d have volunteered to help them – or to help clean it.”

She claims she was also told the venue was responding to staff concerns about their own safety should Creeger’s show go ahead.

“It’s a pub in Edinburgh, it’s a music venue, they themselves have bouncers most evenings… And perhaps they might say if there’s a concern about extra risk, we should do all we can to make our performers safe.”

‘More unites us than divides us’

Creeger says her show is in no way political.

“It’s based around the idea that a Jewish mother can answer any question, solve any problem… I will make it better for you, the audience gets to write a question and put it into a chicken soup pot… The reason I kind of love it is because by the end of it people leave feeling actually more unites us than divides us.

“We’re not the people making the trouble,” she adds.

“I’ve certainly never started a protest, I’ve never done graffiti, I’ve never caused harm anywhere; my show doesn’t do that, my show is lovely.”

As Britain’s only touring comedian who is also a practising Orthodox Jew, she says since the 7 October attack she and other Jewish comedians are experiencing a significant increase in antisemitism while performing.

“We’re not Israeli, we’re British Jews,” says Creeger.

“The situation there is horrendous and distressing and painful for people of any number of religions and races… To be kind of scapegoated with dog whistles around that is clearly very, very unpleasant.”

The Fringe Society has said its role is to provide support and advice to all participants at the festival “with a vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat”.

A spokesperson explained they don’t manage or programme venues and “we understand that the show cancellations have been a choice made by the venue”.

Whistle Binkies hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment.

Police Scotland told Sky News it hasn’t “received any reports of concern” about Creeger’s show.

There are, of course, huge sensitivities when it comes to discussing what’s going on in the world right now.

American stand-up Zainab Johnson is making her Fringe debut this year.

While her show Toxically Optimistic is all about putting a positive spin on life’s challenges, she doesn’t shy away from tackling the serious stuff if it comes up.

Zainab Johnson
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Zainab Johnson says her show doesn’t shy away from tackling serious issues

‘Shows becoming serious is a part of life’

“If I’m doing a show and somebody wants to yell out Free Palestine, well let’s talk about it,” she tells Sky News.

“I am the comedian where, if the show has to become serious, it becomes serious. That’s a part of life, you know?”

Johnson adds: “I’m from the United States and they talk about free speech all the time, but then you find out free speech ain’t really free because the moment you say something that is contrary to what the majority feels or wants to be heard, then you can be penalised…

“But isn’t that the beauty of this festival? So many people just telling their story, whatever their story is.”

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Comedian Andy Parsons has had a long-standing career in satire, appearing regularly on shows like BBC2’s Mock the Week.

While he has the likes of Elon Musk and Nigel Farage in his sights for his stand-up show, Please #@!$ Off to Mars, they’re not his only focus.

Andy Parsons says comedians 'should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza'
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Andy Parsons says comedians ‘should be able to talk about anything’

He says stand-ups “should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza”.

He explains jokingly: “I’ve got some stuff about Israel in the show and obviously it can work both ways. It can give you some publicity and obviously it can get you cancelled.”

Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh – a clown comic – is the only Palestinian doing a full run of a comedy show at this year’s Fringe. 

“My show is clowning, it’s storytelling, it’s even got a bit of stand-up and it’s heavily inspired by the comedian Dave Allen, who is one of my comedy heroes,” says Wardeh.

“It felt really important that I come and just exist in this space, as a Palestinian, and speak my words and have my voice heard. 

“I’ve used all of these skills to make a show that is about really what’s going on in this country and in the world at the moment.

sami abu wardeh
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Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh is the only Palestinian doing a full run at this year’s Fringe

“I think most people in this country are going to recognise that Britain is in a very dark place… and I’m hoping to reach those people and to give a voice to the dissatisfaction.”

‘Plans in place’ for disruption

He’s had to consider the possibility of protests and take steps to “make sure that the audience and myself are safe and secure”.

“We have plans in place to know how to deal with people who are disruptive,” he says. “And particularly anybody who wants to bring any kind of bigoted views into the room.”

As one of the very few Palestinians at the festival, Wardeh says it is “not only my duty” but “an honour to be here and to represent my people”.

He also feels it’s wrong that Rachel Creeger has had her venue cancelled.

“I sincerely support free speech and I think everyone should be able to get on the stage and say what they want, within reason obviously,” says Wardeh.

Rachel says she hopes to confirm a new venue for her show on social media in the coming days.

“We’ve thankfully had a number of venues approach us to say that they have space available, so I’m hopeful that I’ll get – if not a full – then at least part of the run for the show.”

Since arriving in Edinburgh she’s been overwhelmed by how many hugs of support she’s received.

“To have super high-profile comedians put their heads above the parapet to say ‘this is wrong’, it means so much…In a way the story is that someone’s done something very hurtful… But look at all the love, that’s amazing.”

Sami Abu Wardeh’s Palestine: Peace de Resistance is at the Pleasance Dome in Edinburgh until 24 August
Andy Parsons’ Please #@!$ Off to Mars is at Pleasance Courtyard’s Cabaret Bar until 10 August
Zainab Johnson: Toxically Optimistic is at Pleasance Courtyard until 24 August

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were ‘among most complex’ he’s ever seen

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were 'among most complex' he's ever seen

Andrew Flintoff has praised the “love and compassion” of “superhero” staff in a visit to the hospital that treated him after his crash.

The cricket legend was seriously injured during the incident on the Top Gear track in Surrey in December 2022.

He was airlifted to St George’s in Tooting, with a surgeon calling Flintoff’s injuries some of the most complex he’s seen.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George’s,” Flintoff said, as he returned to the London hospital.

“I came here probably the lowest I’ve ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible.

“I’ll be eternally grateful – absolute superheroes.”

Flintoff with St George's Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jahrad Haq. Pic: PA
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Maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq said Flintoff’s case was very complex. Pic: PA

Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon, said he knew immediately the case was something out of the ordinary.

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“I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant,” said Mr Haq.

“A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating, so I knew this one was serious.

“Of all the trauma cases I’ve seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.”

Flintoff with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA
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The ex-cricketer with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA

Flintoff was also pictured on his visit meeting lead dental nurse Linda Holden and principal orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer.

Shamim Umarji, who also treated the 47-year-old, said it was “wonderful to see Freddie again and his visit gave staff a real boost”.

“He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone and it meant a lot,” added the trauma and orthopaedic surgeon.

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Flintoff previously described how he thought he had died in the accident – which saw him “pulled face-down on the runway” for about 50m under a three-wheel car.

The incident led to the BBC pulling the plug on Top Gear and it remains unclear if it will ever return.

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Brian Cox: Trump talking ‘b*******s’ on Scottish independence

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Brian Cox: Trump talking 'b*******s' on Scottish independence

Hollywood actor Brian Cox has told Sky News that Donald Trump is talking “bollocks” after suggesting there should be 50 or 75 years between Scottish independence referendums.

The US president said a country “can’t go through that too much” when questioned by reporters during his visit to Scotland this week.

The Emmy-winning star, who is an independence supporter, has hit back, branding him “that idiot in America”.

The 79-year-old told Sky News: “He’s talking bollocks. I’m sorry, but he does. It’s rubbish. Let’s get on with it and let’s get it [independence] done. We can do it.

“It’s been tough as there’s a great deal of undermining that has gone on.”

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Trump responds to Sky question on Israel

SNP fraud probe causing ‘harm’

Mr Cox said the police fraud investigation examining the SNP’s finances has done “enormous harm” to the party and wider independence movement.

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Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the long-running police probe but cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this year.

The former first minister’s estranged husband Peter Murrell, who was SNP chief executive for two decades, appeared in court in April to face a charge of alleged embezzlement. He has entered no plea.

Brian Cox is preparing to return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade in a play about the Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crash.

Ahead of the Edinburgh festival performances, the veteran actor told Sky News: “I think it’s a masterpiece. It’s certainly one of the best pieces of work I’ve been involved in.

Brian Cox
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Brian Cox speaking to Sky’s Connor Gillies

‘My friend Spacey should be forgiven’

The Succession star was also asked about his “old friend” Kevin Spacey.

The former House of Cards actor, 65, was exiled from the showbiz world in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Spacey has admitted to “being too handsy” in the past and “touching someone sexually” when he didn’t know they “didn’t want him to”.

Spacey stood trial in the UK for multiple sexual offences against four men in July 2023 but was acquitted on all counts.

Kevin Spacey outside Southwark Crown Court
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Kevin Spacey

Mr Cox told Sky News: “I am so against cancel culture. Kevin has made a lot of mistakes, but there is a sort of viciousness about it which is unwarranted.

“Everybody is stupid as everybody else. Everybody is capable of the same mistakes and the same sins as everybody else.”

Asked if he could see a return to showbiz for Spacey, Cox replied: “I would think so eventually, but it’s very tough for him.

“He was tricky, but he has learnt a big lesson. He should be allowed to go on because he is a very fine actor. I just think we should be forgiving.”

He concluded: “What is the joy you get out of kicking somebody in the balls when they are down? That is what I cannot stand.”

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