Shepherd's Bush Empire Closed Due to "Serious Structural Damage"

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Announcement expected imminently about venue's future

The O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire has been forced to close due to "serious structural damage".

The venue, which holds 2,000 people apologised to fans after the last minute cancellation of a show by the Courteeners on Friday.

The venue tweeted @o2sbe: " Sorry but we have a structural issue in our building so will not be open tonight. All @thecourteeners fans, plse hold onto your tix."

A further announcement is expected today, Monday December 7 about future concerts.

Liam Fray of the Courteeners sent a message to fans on Twitter @What_Liam_Said: " They checked a problem and it was A LOT worse than first thought. Why they told us and you so late, I've no idea.

"I know you are all disappointed but if something happened to one of those balconies with all you guys inside it does not bear even thinking about.

" It would haunt everyone for the rest of their lives. Thankfully you are all safe, your tickets are ALL still valid and WE WILL schedule a new show for you."

Hawkwind were due to play at the Empire, on Shepherd's Bush Green on December 20 but have now switched the show to The Coronet in Elephant and Castle. " As some of you may have heard, it seems Shepherd’s Bush Empire has been declared structurally unsafe and we have been told that they have had to cancel the rest of their shows this year," the band wrote on their Facebook page.

" We are just so thankful that their H&S checks uncovered the danger and prevented a potential disaster."

Other concerts scheduled for December include Clutch, Family, John Cooper Clarke, The Twang and four nights with Kodaline.

We'll bring you the update from the venue as soon as is announced.

December 7, 2015