Brixton Arts Organisation Founder ‘Stunned’ as Landlord Issues 25-Year Eviction Notice

A grassroots arts organisation in Brixton, which has been providing cultural enrichment for nearly 25 years, faces the possibility of displacement due to proposed redevelopment of the local railway arches. The Arch Company has issued The Bureau of Silly Ideas a six-month notice to vacate, mere days after founder Roger Hartley had signed a new 10-year lease, leaving the 60-year-old feeling perplexed and concerned for the future.

This development follows a successfully contested rent increase, with a recent planning application submitted to Lambeth Council labelling the units on Valentia Place as ‘underused and derelict’. The Arch Company has clarified that the notice to vacate was not prompted by any dispute, asserting that the lease agreement rectified a previously undocumented periodic tenancy inherited from Network Rail. Nevertheless, Roger and his team find themselves facing uncertainty once again, despite emerging victorious in their previous rent battle.

Community Impact of Potential Displacement

In an interview, Roger expressed his dismay: “We’ve been given notice to leave in October. I don’t think there are enough swear words to describe how it felt when we realised what they [The Arch Company] were doing – it was a real shock. We had literally shown them the spaces just the day before. There may be a different definition of ‘derelict’, but it certainly does not align with mine if we are still being charged rent.” He further noted that while The Arch Company had offered alternative accommodation with a rent-free period, the proposed space was unsuitable for their needs, lacking a protected lease and being limited to a single storey, which is impractical for their circus and trapeze activities.

The Bureau of Silly Ideas is dedicated to creating street theatre and public art for events throughout London and the UK. It also offers performance spaces, rehearsal rooms, and music studios across five arches, and provides classes for young and disadvantaged individuals. Roger is apprehensive that the creative landscape of South London could suffer irreparable harm if the long-standing nonprofit is driven out by escalating costs, raising concerns about future access to the arts for the next generation.

Plans to Secure the Future

<p"There are only a few places like us left," he remarked. "We have people working in the workshop, others making music next door, and another group storyboarding a film—all within a vibrant network that gathers here. If we are forced to leave, that community will dissipate." Roger emphasised their mission to serve as a conduit for local residents, especially those from some of the most deprived areas in the country. "We run an open-door policy and host workshops that teach practical skills alongside arts and culture, fostering curiosity and engagement," he added.

Amidst the uncertainty, Roger is exploring various contingency plans, including the possibility of transforming The Bureau into an Asset of Community Value to achieve community ownership. “The vision is, in theory, for it to endure for decades,” he explained. He is appealing to The Arch Company, owned by Blackstone, to adopt a Good Growth strategy that prioritises investment in community-rooted tenants who contribute to local identity, footfall, and cultural engagement, rather than seeking quick financial returns.

Negotiations and Community Support

Roger has been actively engaging in discussions with Lambeth Council, Arts Council England, and the Greater London Authority’s culture at risk team regarding The Bureau’s status. Reports indicate that The Arch Company aims to standardise its land and impose an ‘unsustainable’ rental rate of £30-£35 per square foot, which Roger believes would jeopardise cultural organisations across the UK. “We frequently see many empty properties, and it does not have to be this way,” he asserted.

In a bid to sustain their operations, The Bureau has launched a Crowdfunder campaign with the goal of raising £50,000 to support their activities and advocacy until at least Christmas. A portion of these funds will assist in negotiations regarding the break notice, while the remainder will be allocated to free events and outdoor theatre productions during the planning process, as well as the establishment of a campaigner role to connect commercial tenants, cultural organisations, and small businesses facing similar challenges nationwide.

Future Developments and Arch Company Response

Roger explained the financial strain of maintaining their position during the rent dispute, leading to staff reductions, particularly among those who managed community projects and fundraising efforts. He hopes to collaborate with The Arch Company to propose a new planning application aimed at establishing a recognised ‘creative quarter’, utilising both the occupied arches and vacant units across the road.

The Arch Company has acknowledged the necessity of maintenance and repair due to the age and condition of certain structures, stating that the arches were included in the Brixton Central masterplan process prior to their acquisition. They expressed their commitment to The Bureau of Silly Ideas as a valued tenant, recognising its significant role in Brixton’s creative community. The proposed improvements at Valentia Place are intended to upgrade the ageing arches for future use.

The company also mentioned ongoing discussions with The Bureau regarding alternative accommodation options that include below-market rent and a rent-free period. They remain open to the possibility of The Bureau returning to Valentia Place once the redevelopment works are completed.