London venue KOKO to close for a year ahead of £40m redevelopment

London venue KOKO has announced it is set to close for a year as of next month, with plans for a £40 million redevelopment.

The iconic Camden venue will close in March, and is set to reopen in the spring of 2020. A closing party will be held next Tuesday (5th March) with a special headline act, with details being announced the day before.

Speaking about the new plans, KOKO owner Olly Bengough says: “KOKO has always taken great pride in our innovative approach and we can see that our audience want a 360-degree experience in the future and it’s our duty to deliver that, to cut out the unknowns of going to a venue our size, most of which haven’t changed since the 1950s.

“This isn’t just about offering a music venue,” he continues. “In the Camden spirit of independence, auteur-ship and eccentricity, we want to offer an unrivalled experience. London is a forward-facing city. Where we lead, the world follows and we have to move with it. By radically reimagining what KOKO will be for chapter two, we’re protecting the culture, helping Camden and London. We’re giving back to music. We’ll do what we’ve always done, listen to tomorrow’s talent today. Why don’t we show the world that we can have the most exciting music and hospitality brand in the city?”