Hackney Council receives 27,000 emails to save MOTH Club from closure
The venue is currently under threat following plans to build a neighbouring flat block
Hackney Council has received more than 27,000 emails to save Valette Street venue MOTH Club from potential closure following plans to build a neighbouring block of flats.
Thousands of people are calling on the council to secure the London club’s future after development plans were first put forward in September 2024, proposing to build a residential block of flats on Morning Lane.
One planned flat block would have balconies “overlooking MOTH’s smoking area and backing onto the stage wall”, the venue said at the time. An initial petition to block proposals received some 22,000 signatures.
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The latest push to stop planned developments comes amidst an ongoing campaign to save the venue with a series of events called Stomping Grounds, which looks to protect grassroots venues in the UK.
“All we’re asking from Hackney Council is a fair and transparent process for MOTH Club, one of London’s most legendary grassroots venues,” says Kieth Miller, Programmer and Founder of MOTH.
“Throughout this planning process, we’ve been met with zero clarity, zero communication, and zero fairness. We deserve better, and so does every venue fighting to keep culture alive in this city.”
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The next Stomping Grounds event is set to take place on Thursday, December 18, at the venue – a free event that requires email action to Hackney Council in order to attend.
The party – set up by campaign group Save Our Scene and Kickers – will be headlined by Kojey Radical, with support from The Silhouettes Project and several emerging artists.
“This isn’t just about MOTH Club; it’s about protecting the future of live music in London and beyond,” Miller says. “Huge names have already signed up to support us; from Green Day, Lewis Capaldi and Tame Impala to just about every venue, label and promoter in London.”
Get your ticket here, and sign MOTH Club's petition here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter