Broadwick Live, the operator of London venue Printworks, has issued a statement about the venue’s future.
The events company has revealed it is currently in "detailed talks" with British Land, the developer overseeing the upcoming regeneration in and around the venue’s current Surrey Quays location, about continuing to operate Printworks at the site once the development is done. Despite this, Printworks will close sometime in 2023 "for a number of years during a period of modernisation as planned," Broadwick Live said.
"While there is still a detailed planning process that needs to take place before we can 100 percent confirm our return, we’re now further along in this process than we have been for some time," the company’s statement read. "As a team we are committed to preserving the essence of the iconic Press Halls and retaining the spirit of Printworks for our return.
"In the meantime, we have every intention of seeing out this chapter of Printworks, in its current guise, in the best way possible as a salute to the legacy of the last five years. Thank you for your unwavering support. The backing of our community has been vital in getting us to this point and is crucial to the future of Printworks London."
Simeon Aldred, Director of Strategy at Broadwick Live, added: "In this decisive moment for the future of one of London’s most loved venues, we are humbled and grateful for the support of our community and partners. We have been working hard on an elevated design which protects the raw and original nature of the Press Halls, which we are excited to reveal in due course. We will need your continued support as we enter the planning process with Southwark Council in the coming months.
"The cultural resonance and debate around the future of Printworks only comes to demonstrate the importance of preserving authenticity and culture at the heart of our neighbourhoods and urban redevelopments."
Roger Madelin, a representative of the developers British Land, also shared a statement, which said: "Over the past six years we have built a terrific relationship with Broadwick Live, and we very much look forward to being able to secure a long term future for culture, business and music with them at the Printworks."
Printworks, a 6,000-capacity space, opened in 2017, taking over the former printing facility for the Metro and Evening Standard newspapers. It has since grown into one of London’s best-loved large music venues, hosting concerts and club events, and pulling in some of the biggest names in music.
It was intended to be a temporary space when it first opened due to Broadwick Live’s knowledge that redevelopment plans in the area were being drawn up by Southwark Council. In July of this year, the council approved British Land’s plans for a "sustainable office-led redevelopment of the Printworks building," which would take place as part of the Canada Water Masterplan, a £4bn, 53-acre regeneration project of the area by the developer.
Among the upcoming events at Printworks through the remainder of the year are parties hosted by Hessle Audio – featuring Ben UFO, Pangaea, Pearson Sound, Karenn, Shanti Celeste and more – and Erased Tapes – featuring Andy Stott, Gilles Peterson, object blue and Clark, among others.
