Previously shuttered venue Space 289 says it will remain open for the foreseeable future
The London club was forced to close at the end of 2022 after landlords more than doubled its rent
200-capacity London venue Space 289, which was previously forced to close following a dispute with the club’s landlord, has announced that it will reopen for the foreseeable future.
In July 2022, the Cambridge Heath venue made news of its closure, telling clubgoers: “We're gutted to announce that Space 289 will be closing this month.”
The venue cited a recent dispute with its landlord over rent inflation, explaining that the Victorian arch under which the venue sits was sold by Network Rail in 2019 to the American Investment Bank Blackstone/Arch Co, who looked to more than double the venue’s rent cost.
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“We have tried to fight them in court, but with mounting legal costs and no positive outcome in sight, we have no choice but to walk,” they explained.
Today, just over six months since the initial announcement, Space 289 revealed that the club can remain open. “Turn of events again,” they shared in an Instagram post. “Space 289 can operate for the foreseeable, late license possible."
Speaking to Mixmag, Space 289's Head of Programming, Lucien Calkin, said: "It looks like we can stay open for the foreseeable… Sadly it also meant we sold nearly all of our equipment / backline."
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The club can now reopen with a late license - with music allowed until 4:AM - and is urging anyone with hire proposals to contact the club.
Initially, Space 289 looked at a much earlier closing date, but in a “turn of events” in September, announced that it would remain open until the end of the year.
The London club will now reopen for the foreseeable future, with now further announcements to forthcoming parties or a reopening date as of yet. Keep your eye out for upcoming events at Space 289 here, and contact the club for any hire proposals here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter