Spiritland announces closure of Southbank London venue
The venue sites COVID-19, Brexit, energy price rises, and more for the reasons of closure
Spiritland has announced the closure of its venue at the Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank, London.
Breaking the news via social media, the venue’s team cited “COVID-19, Brexit, energy price rises, and many other factors” as reasons for the closure.
“We'd have loved to continue our mission there but the current conditions simply don’t allow it,” a social media statement from the team read.
“Spiritland Royal Festival Hall has been the only independent venue in a sea of chains, the only space offering a culturally aligned programme to Southbank's arts venues and a place for Londoners and out-of-towners alike to eat, drink and enjoy music in a beautiful setting,” the post continued.
“Huge thanks to all who’ve been part of it - diners, drinkers, dancers, DJs, all our collaborators and all our team who've worked with us there.”
The venue, which opened in December 2018, included a 180-cover restaurant as well as providing a space for guest performances and DJ sets. Over the years, it hosted sets from a wide array of artists and crews from the UK and beyond including Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy, Bill Brewster, DJ Paulette, Dennis Bovell, Fabio & Grooverider, Eliza Rose, Sasha, Mafalda, Touching Bass, Plastic People Secretsundaze, Total Refreshment Centre and many, many more.
The cost of living crisis is currently putting a strain on all venues across the UK. Last year, London’s Space289, and Bristol record store Idle Hands, announced closure due to increasing costs and rent.
Other venues operated by Spirtland, such as Spiritland’s headphone bar in Mayfair, a cocktail bar in King’s Cross, and Spiritland Productions will remain open.
The Black Keys event at the Spiritland Royal Festival Hall will still be taking place tomorrow, 7th January 2023.
A final closing event will take place at the venue on 13 January 2023, hosting the first-ever DJs who played the venue's launch, Jarvis Cocker and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor.
“We’ll miss our beautiful home on the Southbank. We wanted to build a unique and credible addition to London's cultural landscape - our journey will continue elsewhere and we'll keep you posted about what's next for us,” the post added.
