Beloved East London Record Shop Faces Closure Over Noise Complaints from New-Build

The BBE Store in London Fields, Hackney, a free-to-enter community record shop and events space operated by the Black music label BBE (founded 1996), is facing a licence review after Hackney Council received a Notice of Application against the venue. BBE — which stands for Barely Breaking Even — says the trouble began when a new residential building went up across the road after the pandemic, on what it describes as a largely commercial, industrial street. Over the past year, several businesses on the street, including the store itself, have faced a steady stream of noise complaints from the new residents. Despite installing noise limiters and acoustic curtains and cutting evening opening hours to three nights a week — dropping Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays — the complaints did not stop. The store has now launched a fundraising campaign seeking £20,000 to cover lawyers and planning consultants, and a petition that has gathered over 11,000 signatures. Hackney Council said it has not taken any steps to close the BBE Store, but noted it is legally obliged to review a venue's licence whenever a qualifying application is received. The case echoes a wider pattern across London, where cultural venues have been forced to follow strict demands or risk losing their licences after new residents move in nearby — a fate that has threatened spots including the Sekforde Pub in Islington, Blondies Brewery in Leyton, and Walthamstow Trades Hall.