Vince Power, who has run venues and festivals in London and around the world for decades, bought the venue three years ago, but a copyright issue meant he could not trade under the name and instead it was known as the PowerHaus.
The 500-capacity Camden Town landmark started out in June 1973 as Dingwalls Dance Hall and has played host to gigs by huge names from The Clash and the Sex Pistols to Coldplay, Etta James, Pink and the Foo Fighters.
Power, who was previously at the helm of the Mean Fiddler empire, said he did not mind if people thought he was “either stupid or romantic” to spend money on buying the name back. He said: “The name had a lot of history. People always walk up here and say ‘Is this Dingwalls?’ and I had to say ‘No, it’s the PowerHaus’.
“It’s kind of a romantic idea having it back up there. I think it is a romantic thing having a venue like this. You’ve got to have a passion for it. You’re not going make ton of money out of it. The day I’ll make money is when I sell it to someone just as silly as me.”
The entrepreneur said the Dingwalls name was “absolutely synonymous with incredible live music in London”.
He said: “It has such a rich history and has played host to some of the greatest music acts over the years. I am really pleased we can celebrate the club’s 50th birthday this year under the Dingwalls name.”
