Luminar sells Camden Palace

Late night operator Luminar has sold London landmark the Camden Palace for just over £40m.

Luminar, operator of brands such as Chicago Rock Café and Liquid, said the disposal of the venue fits its strategy of focusing on branded outlets and maximising the value of other outlets.

Chief executive Stephen Thomas (pictured)​ said: "Luminar has successfully operated the Camden Palace for 5 years, maintaining it as an internationally renowned alternative music venue.

"Luminar's strategy is to offer branded entertainment venues such as Oceana, Chicago Rock, Life and Liquid to our customer base and therefore the disposal of the Camden Palace further focuses the Group on those four core brands."

The Camden Palace stared life as a music hall. Charlie Chaplin was among the early acts to play the venue, and the Goon Show was recorded there in the 50s.

In the 1970s it became a live music venue, and was owned for a time by New Romantic star Steve Strange, founder of Visage. Luminar did not reveal the identity of the latest owner, understood to be another nightclub operator.