London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is working to “rescue” the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith after it announced last week it had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
Mr Khan said the the plight of the London arts venue was “heartbreaking”.
The venue, located on the site of a former Victorian iron works, had been used as a film studio since the early 1930s and by the BBC from 1954 to 1974, including for Hancock’s Half Hour and Doctor Who. For the last 45 years, it has served as an arts centre.
But, the venue’s trust said it was now facing “eye-watering” energy bills, on top of the debt incurred by its recent redevelopment.
Mr Khan said: "It's heartbreaking. Anybody who knows London's cultural history knows the importance of the Riverside Studios, so we're working closely with the local council and those who are looking into the administration of the Riverside Studios to see what we can do to rescue this really important asset.
"The Culture at Risk team at City Hall has been working with groups across the city over the last few years. We've managed to save more than 800 groups over the last few years and, fingers crossed, we can work with the Riverside Studios' people."
A Riverside Studios spokesman said it had been been working closely with the team at City Hall who had been “extremely supportive”.
“Lines of communication remain open and we continue to work to achieve the very best solution for Riverside and its audiences.”
The venue’s chief executives had said last week that an immediate cash injection of £500,000, with a commitment of a further £750,000 over the next few months, was required in order to avoid administration - but that they only had a matter of days to find that money.
The trust has said it intends to continue business as usual while it enters administration. Events have been scheduled as far as August 19.
The trustees have stated a preference for continued charitable ownership.
Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, has said: “It is vital Riverside Studios remains a community arts hub and we will work with the administrators to make sure that happens.”
