MKG currently owns and operates London's award-winning Shepherd's Bush Empire and five other Carling Academy live music/club venues in Brixton (London), Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Liverpool. The group also owns Bar Academy in Birmingham City Centre.
Commenting on the purchase, MKG managing director John Northcote told PLASA Media: "The first venue I opened was The Borderline back in 1988 and it's great to be opening a small venue again. The Empire has a capacity of 2,000 and Brixton's is 4,700; so it fits in perfectly with our other London venues and gives both myself and MKG the opportunity of once again being involved in new talent and emerging artists, as well as exciting smaller club nights."
Earlier this year, the McKenzie Group announced details of a three-year partnership deal with Coors Brewers that includes the development of new music programme opportunities, and in May this year, Virgin Mobile became the Official Communications Partner for McKenzie Group venues.
(Ruth Rossington)
