Joe GallopBroadwick Live-owned venue Printworks London closed yesterday (1 May) after six years in operation, with the venue’s team announcing their intention for it to return in three years.
The final of four shows on bank holiday weekend saw the 6,000-capacity venue close with a surprise guest appearance by electronic duo Bicep (pictured), following sets by artists including Peggy Gou, Roisin Murphy, Folamour, TSHA and DJ Koze.
Printworks, which once housed the largest printing presses in Western Europe, is set to become an office block as part of a planned regeneration of the area approved by Southwark Council.
A proportion of the Printworks building is expected to be redeveloped by the owners British Land and AustralianSuper into the new Grand Press workspace, featuring a retail, food and leisure offering.
The South London venue, which was only meant to hold club nights temporarily after opening in 2017, became available for hire and was used for various other events. It featured two rooms: the 3,328sqm Press Halls and 1,003sqm, 700-capacity Inkwells.
Broadwick Live, the team also behind Depot Mayfield (cap. 10,000) and Tobacco Dock (10,000), opened 5,000-capacity London event space The Beams in October.
Broadwick Live director of strategy Simeon Aldred said, “Printworks has brought lasting impact to our scene, to our city, to artists and our local community. The future Printworks venue aims to build on this, bringing together all the best in all electronic music and visual arts, both as well as hosting some of the world’s best orchestras, ballet companies and other art forms.”
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has raised concerns following Printworks’ closure, claiming UK clubs face a crisis with 10 businesses closing every month across the country. Figures show 32% of clubs have closed since 2019 and only 865 nightclubs remain in the UK.
NTIA CEO Michael Kill said, “With the impacts of Brexit, energy and cost inflation biting, we need the Government to address the immediate issues faced by some of the hardest hit business sectors. The night time economy has already suffered irreparable damage, and similar to the wider hospitality sector will face further losses over the coming months, if we do not see immediate and decisive support from the Government for the remaining businesses.”