An iconic London music venue could reopen in just two years, as a planning application has been submitted to the council. Printworks, which closed its doors in the summer of 2023, may reopen in 2026 as a permanent cultural venue.
Printworks was a huge nightclub located in a former newspaper printing office in Surrey Quays. With a capacity of 6,000, it was known for its ‘Press Halls’, a gigantic, high-ceilinged room where big names such as Tale of Us, Sub Focus, Chemical Brothers and Bicep have all played sold-out nights.
There was an outpouring of sadness when the nightclub announced its closure last year. Over 10,000 people signed a petition on Change.org calling for Printworks to be saved, with the petition describing the closure of the club as “heartbreaking”.
It was previously reported that the iconic venue would be turned into offices. This was part of the Canada Water Masterplan regeneration project, which will transform an area of 21.27 hectares – the size of 39 football fields – around Canada Water.
But today it has been announced that a planning application has been submitted to reopen the Printworks and a permanent cultural venue, while adding exciting new spaces. Real estate company British Land and pension fund AustralianSuper have teamed up to reopen the venue as part of a new plan to rebuild Canada Water.
The companies are in exclusive talks with Broadwick, who runs Printworks London, to stay on and run the venue again. In the visions shared for Printworks’ reopening, in half the building, the Press Halls that fans know and love will remain. Half the building will see a new work and retail space called Grand Press.
But new spaces are also being developed, including a rooftop area that will be a state-of-the-art event space with views across London. Smaller spaces will also be added, called “Inkwells,” which will be home to more intimate events, immersive exhibits, and multidisciplinary art exhibits.
“Print had a huge impact on the UK’s cultural landscape, and its popularity over the past six years has demonstrated how important this multi-dimensional venue is to Londoners and visitors from around the world who are drawn to its ground-breaking programming. We are incredibly proud to be stewards of this important cultural destination, and we look forward to developing our plans to deliver the new Printworks as part of our broader Canada Water master plan.”
The plan has been backed by London Night Czar, Amy Lame. She said: “Printworks was a fantastic addition to London’s world-renowned cultural scene, attracting people from all over the world and setting new and ambitious standards for all to follow. I have worked closely with the operator and owner, and I am proud of these inspiring new plans for to create an incredible permanent place. This will be an exciting new chapter as we build a better London for everyone.”
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