Published
Thu, Nov 2, 2023, 18:10
- The venue's Old Paradise Yard premises looks set to be demolished to make way for a controversial new office development.
London venue IKLECTIK is at risk of being evicted before the end of the year after the venue's lease application renewal was rejected.
The not-for-profit music and arts space broke the news yesterday, November 1st, via Instagram, claiming that IKLECTIK and other neighbouring small businesses are being "collectively punished" for attempting to oppose the controversial office development that would see the demolition of their shared Old Paradise Yard premises.
"Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation (a £1 billion health fund, not the NHS Trust) is refusing to renew our lease," the post read. "The decision was made swiftly after the Save Waterloo Paradise campaign gathered almost 50,000 signatures and successfully lobbied Michael Gove, Secretary of State, to reconsider the development. In response to this, the foundation is forcing last-minute emergency evictions of all residents, with notices to be served as soon as next week, negating their previous promise that businesses could stay on the site until needed for demolition, giving assurances that plenty of notice would be issued."
The five-tower block proposal, which would be the largest single office development ever built in the Borough of Lambeth, was temporarily paused to allow for a full investigation in August following widespread opposition from the local community. In the face of imminent closure, IKLECTIK is now appealing to the public for further support.
"We're establishing a variety of avenues in which to pursue," the post continued. "Including lobbying and contending our case, crowdfunding and hearing a multitude of advice."
The Waterloo venue welcomes performances from artists such as Manuka Honey, GAIKA and Mun Sing in the coming weeks.
Read IKLECTIK's post in full, and find out how to oppose the eviction.