The Printworks nightclub will be closed down after the local council approved plans for a redevelopment of the music venue.
The former newspaper printing site was converted into a nightclub in 2017 and has gone on to be one of London’s better music venues over the last five years.
Last autumn, developer British Land submitted plans to the council to redevelop the site into offices.
Southwark Council has now approved the plans which means the popular music venue will now be redeveloped by British Land following consultation with Broadwick Live and the council.
Currently, there is no firm date for the closure of the music venue although a BBC Proms event is set to take place on September 3.
A report from the council said: “It is noted that a significant number of objections have been received in respect of the loss of the club/music venue currently operating on the site. It is acknowledged that this use has been very successful.
“However, the events use was initiated as a short term interim (meanwhile) use in 2016 pending development of the building within the masterplan. It was never intended to be a permanent use of the site.”
The plans were approved despite 10,000 people signing a petition to keep the nightclub which the council said was always going to be a temporary site.
British Land has said it will rebuild offices and shops on the land which will create 2,000-3,000 new jobs for the area.
The redevelopment is part of the developer’s wider Canada Water Masterplan which will create up to 3,000 new homes in the area.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency & Sustainable Development, said: “Southwark Council’s planning committee unanimously approved British Land’s planning application to develop the site of the former printing press in Canada Water, which has been used temporarily as Printworks nightclub for the last few years.
“The site is part of plans to build thousands of new homes, particularly hundreds of much-needed social rent homes, new open spaces, offices, a new public leisure centre, and places to shop, eat, drink and socialise.
“We know that one of the challenges with ‘meanwhile uses’ of vacant land is that people become very attached to the temporary use, but everyone involved in Printworks knew their time on the site would come to an end, and focused on making its tenure there as successful as possible.
“We are excited to be working with British Land and Printworks operator Broadwick Live to keep a presence on site that will build on Printworks’ success, ensuring that residents current and new benefit from a permanent cultural offer at Canada Water which has been our intention from the start.”
A spokesperson for British Land, added “We are pleased that Southwark Council has voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the Printworks.
“The redevelopment of the Printworks will result in the retention and reuse of this iconic building, to create a best in class and flexible workplace, and alongside this, our intention is to work with Broadwick Live and Southwark Council to explore retaining a cultural venue in part of the Printworks.”
