London’s legendary Printworks venue is on the rebound.
The UK’s Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), a trade organization for the country’s nightlife businesses, announced the news that “Printworks officially received planning consent for redevelopment” as part of plans to revive the venue by 2026 on X, formerly Twitter, yesterday.
“This is an extremely positive moment for London’s nightlife and the entire cultural ecosystem of the city,” NTIA CEO Michael Kill wrote. “Printworks has long stood as a beacon of creativity and innovation, not just in the UK but globally.”
The nightclub closed in May 2023 after the region’s Southwark Council approved plans to redevelop the 53-acre Surrey Quays site, a former industrial printing press hall, into a complex of office spaces, luxury apartments, and retail. In February, real estate developers British Land and AustralianSuper, who own the site, submitted a second proposal that would designate one-half of the space as a “permanent cultural venue.”
Following the Southwark Council’s approval of this new proposal yesterday, the cultural designation will allow electronic music shows, club nights, art exhibitions, and more to return to Printworks’ famous 6,000-capacity Press Halls, where Broadwick Live hosted 300 electronic shows on a six-year temporary license prior to its closing. The other half of the site will be redeveloped as previously planned, per the proposal.
The newly approved development plan also outlines a new rooftop terrace, a smaller performance space named “The Inkwells,” and new conference and corporate suites. British Land also reportedly hopes to recover as much of the building’s original printing equipment as possible, including a four-story-tall press, rollers, paper storage racks, ink lines, and valves.
“The approval is a testament to the incredible support from the local authorities, community, the music industry, key stakeholders and the dedicated team behind Printworks,” Kill continued in his statement. “With full steam ahead on these exciting plans, we are one step closer to seeing the venue reopen its doors, bringing back the energy, passion and world-class experiences that made it such an iconic space.”
Printworks is back!! NTIA Says Planning Consent A Positive Moment for London’s Nightlife
“We are extremely pleased to hear the news that Printworks officially received planning consent for redevelopment on Tuesday night. This is an extremely positive moment for London’s… pic.twitter.com/QkxEOT0BEY
— Night Time Industries Association (@wearethentia) September 25, 2024
Featured image from Printworks.
