Apollo Theatre owners will not face charges over ceiling collapse which injured 88 people

 
Debris: Inside the theatre Picture: Twitter via BBC, credited to Chris Edwards
Twitter via BBC, credited to Chris Edwards
Louise Jury17 December 2014

The owners of the Apollo Theatre where the ceiling fell in injuring 88 people a year ago will not be prosecuted, Westminster city council announced today.

A 12-month investigation has concluded that the collapse happened because of the age of the structure and there had been “no breach of the current laws”.

As a result, the council concluded that both Nimax, the theatre owners, and the ceiling inspection firm should not face legal action as they had complied with existing guidelines.

But the council is calling on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) to establish new, more rigorous guidance - and preferably rules - governing ceiling checks in historical theatres and cinemas.

Walking wounded: A woman receives treatment
A woman stands bandaged and wearing a blanket given by emergency services following an incident at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue, Thursday evening, Dec. 19, 2013, during a performance at the height of the Christmas season, with poli

And it wants the onus to be on owners and experts to prove that buildings are safe.

Councillor Nickie Aiken, Westminster’s cabinet member for premise management and licensing, said: “This has been one of the most thorough investigations of its type, and our main aim now is to ensure that an accident like the one at the Apollo never happens again.”

They had already started working with both the HSE and ABTT to begin drafting new rules “which we hope they can bring in as soon as possible”.

She added: “The accident last year must have been a frightening experience for those people who were involved, and we really appreciate a number of them coming forward during the investigation. We hope that the conclusion of our investigation will bring some closure to the events of that day.

Injured people are taken away on a London bus after the drama unfolded
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Injured people are taken away in a London bus from the Queens Theatre after the collapse of a balcony at The Apollo Theatre on December 19, 2013 in London, England. A number of people have been seriously injured after part

“Simply put, the onus needs to change - experts and owners need to prove that structures are safe, rather than not prove that they are unsafe.”

But they had been “encouraged” by the way all theatres had “proactively engaged” with the authority since the “shocking” events of December 19 last year. Other local authorities have also followed the work.

Interim guidance was issued earlier this year on carrying out checks. Health and safety officers worked for more than 900 hours to interview theatre staff, ceiling inspectors, audience members, emergency services and actors in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time which was being performed when the accident happened.

Some audience members launched private legal claims for compensation.

Nica Burns, chief executive of Nimax, said: “I welcome the conclusion of the Westminster investigation, which confirms it was a terrible accident. Not a day has passed where I do not think about every single audience member, the cast and staff present on that December evening.

“My heart goes out to all those affected by that night. I would like to again extend a big thank you to emergency services and my fantastic team at the theatre for their fast and effective response.”

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