The Printworks venue will continue to operate in British Land’s Canada Water scheme, SE16, even after the redevelopment of much of the building into offices.
The REIT is finalising an agreement with Broadwick Live to keep the nightclub in the building, making permanent a meanwhile use the end of which had proved controversial during the planning application for the redevelopment.
The former printworks has operated as a popular nightclub and events venue since 2017, as well as being used as a location for films including The Batman and Avengers: Age of Ultron and hosting the BBC Proms earlier this month.
In July, Southwark Council’s planning committee approved British Land’s proposals to redevelop the 490,000 sq ft of commercial space at the scheme, including office, flexible workspace and retail, despite almost 700 objections and a petition with more than 10,000 signatures over the loss of the nightclub.
At the time, the council planning officers’ report on the scheme said: “The events use was initiated as a short-term interim/meanwhile use” and was “never intended to be a permanent use of the site.”
However, in the face of objections, British Land said it would work with Broadwick Live and the council “to explore retaining a cultural venue” in the building.
The 53-acre Canada Water site is being brought forward by British Land and Australian pension fund AustralianSuper, which bought into the project earlier this year. Outline planning consent for the broader scheme was given in May 2020. Work on phase one is underway on site and is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2024.
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