Printworks looks set to return after receiving planning consent for a redevelopment.
The iconic London music venue closed its doors back in May following an announcement in 2022 that Southwark Council had approved plans to turn it into an office block.
Now, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Printworks is one step closer to reopening.
“We are extremely pleased to hear the news that Printworks officially received planning consent for redevelopment on Tuesday night,” the association wrote in a statement shared to X/Twitter.
“This is an extremely positive moment for London’s nightlife and the entire cultural ecosystem of the city. Printworks has long stood as a beacon of creativity and innovation, not just in the UK but globally.”
Printworks is back!! NTIA Says Planning Consent A Positive Moment for London’s Nightlife
“We are extremely pleased to hear the news that Printworks officially received planning consent for redevelopment on Tuesday night. This is an extremely positive moment for London’s… pic.twitter.com/QkxEOT0BEY
— Night Time Industries Association (@wearethentia) September 25, 2024
The statement added that the approval is “a testament to the incredible support from the local authorities, community, the music industry, key stakeholders and the dedicated team behind Printworks”.
The NTIA said plans were moving ahead and that patrons are “one step closer to seeing the venue reopen its doors, bringing back the energy, passion, and world-class experiences that made it such an iconic space”.
The post concluded: “We look forward to the next chapter of Printworks, and its vital role in driving the recovery and growth of London’s night-time economy. This news couldn’t come at a better time as we continue to champion the importance of venues like Printworks in shaping the future of our industry.”
The full planning consent application summary can be viewed on the Southwark Council website.
An exact reopening timeline is still yet to be confirmed, though earlier this year it was reported this could be in 2026 after developers submitted plans.
NME attended the venue’s closing night last year, reporting that the “rowdy farewell season closed in style”. The event closed with an optimistic message of Printworks’ hopes to “return in three years”.
The latest update comes as welcome news after it was reported this week that 65 nightclubs in the UK have closed down since the start of 2024, according to telling new statistics from CGA Neilson.
There was also a push for government action earlier this year, following separate statistics that revealed around 31 per cent of nightclubs in the UK were forced to close in 2023.
The various lockdowns also played a large part in closures, with the NTIA finding that one in five UK nightclubs had closed down since the beginning of the pandemic. Figures from the nightlife industry later claimed that the UK government was “intentionally shutting down dancefloors”.
2023 was also declared the “worst year for venue closures” according to the Music Venue Trust, while calling upon the upper echelons of the industry to contribute and for the government to introduce a mandatory ticket levy on arena and stadium gigs.
Coldplay have recently set an example by promising to donate a portion of proceeds from their upcoming stadium tour dates to the Music Venue Trust.