Published
Mon, Jul 7, 2014, 14:53
- The South London venue is calling on its landlord and the local council to offer assurances about its future.
Elephant & Castle venue Coronet Theatre says its future is "hanging in the balance," with Southwark Council and the building's landlord failing to offer assurances over its long-term future.
The 140-year-old venue's lease expires in November 2015. "We have, so far, not been able to secure a commitment from either our landlord Delancey, or Southwark Council," reads a post on the club's website. "We have up to £2 million earmarked for improvements to the building, and plan to bring exciting new events to the venue. However, without any commitment from Delancey or the Council, we cannot press ahead with our plans, nor can we reassure our staff who are worried for their jobs."
The area around The Coronet is undergoing rapid change: nearby club Ministry Of Sound fought—and won—a long battle to stay open after being threatened by a residential development. The Coronet says it "may be necessary for us to relocate to another site in the immediate area" but adds: "However, regeneration shouldn't come at the expense of Elephant & Castle's diverse cultural mix, and we need a clear and firm commitment from Southwark Council and Delancey that the Coronet has a future in the Elephant, either at our current location or at a suitable alternative site."
The venue has started its own online petition, which can be signed here.