London‘s MOTH Club under ‘serious threat’ from planned new flats
The Hackney venue has asked fans to write to the council objecting to the new proposal for building opposite the venue.
Hackney venue MOTH Club has asked fans to object to a planning application for new flats opposite the venue, which could put its future under “serious threat”.
The venue, a former servicemen’s club, programmes live music, comedy, film nights and more, and shared a new statement on Instagram this morning (September 19).
They wrote: “To any Hackney based MOTH Club lovers out there, we’re calling for your support to object to a recent planning application for new flats being built opposite the venue on Morning Lane.
“As well as hosting live shows, comedy, film and club nights MOTH has been in existence since 1972 as an ex-serviceperson club and is still used by MOTH members regularly with monthly meetings held in their private meeting room in the upper parts of the premises. Any new builds will pose a serious threat to the future of our venue and the gold ceiling!”
The venue have asked fans based in Hackney to email planning@hackney.gov.uk this week sharing their objection to the plans, quoting reference number 2024/1260.
Rolling Stone UK have contacted MOTH Club for comment.
Last year, the Music Venue Trust warned that the UK was set to lose 10 per cent of its independent venues by the end of 2023. The charity previously kickstarted a campaign called #OwnOurVenues and now owns The Snug in Greater Manchester and The Ferret in Preston.
This year also saw the launch of a new scheme called ‘The Artist Pledge’, which aims to encourage arena-level acts to give back to the grassroots, while Coldplay this week confirmed details of new UK stadium shows next summer, with a portion of proceeds going to the MVT.
Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, said: “Coldplay are the perfect example of a UK band who came through the grassroots circuit on their way to worldwide stadium-filling success. It’s fantastic to see them celebrating their own pathway to Wembley by giving back to the grassroots music venues that supported them and recognising the artists and promoters that are struggling more than ever to build their own careers.
“Through our partnership with Save Our Scene – who introduced us to Coldplay last year – this money will go directly into work that ensures communities right across the country will continue to have access to great live music on their doorstep. The band’s support really will stop venues closing, make tours happen and bring the joy of live music to thousands of people. After months of discussing Coldplay’s potential support around these UK shows with them, we’re so happy and grateful that the news is finally out there!”