Sony Music UK acquired Ministry Of Sound Recordings, best known for its hit tracks and compilations business, with recent brands including Running Trax, I Love Summer, The Mix and Throwback Slowjams and artists including Example, Wretch 32, DJ Fresh, Sigala and London Grammar (pictured). To date, Ministry boasts cumulative album sales in excess of 70 million, including 40 UK No. 1 albums and 21 UK No. 1 singles.
Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: “This agreement underscores our ongoing commitment to investing in great artistry and hit music. On behalf of the entire Sony Music family, I’m excited to welcome the wonderful artists and talented team at Ministry of Sound Recordings to our line-up of world-class creative centres."
The Ministry Of Sound nightclub's future has been assured, after its owners reached an agreement with property developer Oakmayne over a new block of flats to be built opposite the venue. The Ministry team had successful convinced Southwark Council's planning department that the 41 storey building would cause problems for its business - predicting complaints from new neighbours about noise. However, London mayor Boris Johnson then agreed to review the decision, saying that the two sides should get together and work out a solution themselves. Oakmayne has agreed to adapt the design of its building to make it more soundproofed and Johnson approved the planning application on the 19th December, with building work due to commence shortly. In a statement, Ministry Of Sound Group's chief exec Lohan Presencer said: "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with [Oakmayne's business partners] Englewood Ltd that safeguards our future while allowing new development in Southwark. This is a significant planning breakthrough for London, setting a precedent for how new housing and existing businesses can live together. We are grateful to the Mayor for his efforts and look forward to welcoming our new neighbours to the area". Work on the new development is due to be completed in 2017.
And the new East London venue from DHP Family, Oslo in Hackney, will now open on the 17th January. The original opening date was missed after a neighbouring building suffered a structural failure.The new space will stage both gigs and club nights, as well as operating as a bar and restaurant.
London mayor Boris Johnson has again delayed a decision on plans for a residential development opposite the Ministry Of Sound nightclub, following a meeting with representatives from either side earlier this week, with the club fearing that the new development will put its future at risk. After meeting with Ministry and property developer Oakmayne, Johnson deferred his decision until next month, pending further discussions between the two sides themselves. Presencer said in a statement published on the MoS website: "We're encouraged that the Mayor has chosen to adjourn the decision and we're confident he recognises that the solutions we are putting forward will ensure all parties are happy with the outcome. We have always said that we can co-exist with a new development and we welcome regeneration in Southwark. We are committed to our local area and neighbouring businesses, as we have been for more than 20 years". He added: "As the Mayor has requested, we will sit down with the developer to work on a mutually agreeable, sustainable solution - one which will deliver housing for London and safeguard the future of our club". Meanwhile a spokesperson for Johnson said: "Good progress was made on Tuesday and the Ministry Of Sound accepted that the noise mitigation measures built into the building were satisfactory. However, they were looking for greater certainty and with so much at stake for both the nightclub and the developer, the Mayor has decided that a short adjournment would be the most sensible way forward. This would allow both parties to carefully consider a legal mechanism recently proposed by the Ministry Of Sound which they say could address their concerns". They added: "The Mayor expressed hope that a solution could be reached that would deliver much-needed housing in Elephant And Castle while ensuring that the Ministry Of Sound, one of London's leading cultural and musical icons, can continue to thrive".
Ministry Of Sound boss Lohan Presencer has asked Boris Johnson for a binding agreement confirming that a planned major residential development next to the venue in South London will not have future repercussions on his operation's licence. Ministry had previously succeeded in blocking the plans by property developer Oakmayne to build a big residential complex next to the superclub, after the property firm's proposals were unanimously rejected by Southwark's planning committee, with Ministry successfully arguing that it was an important employer in the area, that it played an important role in the capital's clubbing culture and local community, and that the planned residential development would cause problems because future residents would be certain to make demands on licensing officials regarding noise at the venue. Now London Mayor Boris Johnson's office has agreed to reconsider the decision, placing the club under threat once again.
Presencer called for agreement by the Mayor in a;letter to the London Standard and also said he wanted a legal agreement that Oakmayne will install sound-proofing into its new apartments (as was promised as part of its planning application) saying he wants a "legal agreement that guarantees that everything that is being promised, such as these acoustically sealed windows, is not reneged on at a later date. The second thing we want is a legal mechanism put in place to ensure the current noise levels will be able to lawfully continue as they are". The letter goes on: "Ministry of Sound has been at the heart of London for a quarter of a century. We've earned our right to stay here. Over the past decade all of London's big clubs have closed as a result of redevelopment. We're the last man standing. Do you want to bring the shutters down on nightclubs in London for good? Please Boris, do the right thing for London, don't stop the music".
