VENUEWATCH: BALLROOM SAVED

Not too often you can report a venue escaping from a wrecker's ball, so it's pleasing to hear that Camden's Electric Ballroom has been saved. It had been due to get crished to allow the shadowy finance companies currently in charge of the the London Underground to open some shops ("extend the Camden Town tube station"), but even John Prescott - a man who believes that a field is just a cluster home waiting to happen - could see that it was a shit idea:

The tube extension scheme was deemed to have " devastating impact" on the character and appearance of the area, would be "detrimental to the viability and vitality of Camden Town" and would have "unfortunate far-reaching social and economic consequences."

Nick Cave issued the closest thing you can think of to a happy statement:

"The Electric Ballroom is part of the lifeblood of Camden Town, and long may it remain so."

Even then, he has to work in blood somehow, doesn't he?

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