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Public Meeting Coming Soon

We are planning an initial public meeting one evening, somewhere in Streatham.

**Stop press – we had anticipated this to be 8th May but we now have a meeting with Lambeth scheduled for 12th May so have delayed the public meeting until after that.**

The agenda will include an update and discussion around the concerns of the arts community, and in particular the pressing issue of the closure of Streatham Space Project. We hope to have some relevant stakeholders on the panel to assist.

Also on the agenda is formally creating SAC, finding volunteers to help, and determining next steps for SAC and SSP.

Ideally we would like to meet in the Streatham Space Project, but if not we will find an alternative venue.

Please join us if you haven’t already, then watch this space, your email or social media for the meeting details. If you can’t make the meeting, then please share your input by email.

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Our offer of help to Lambeth

We have written to Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities at Lambeth. As part of his role, Councillor Anyanwu “works with cultural sector and community groups to support the thriving arts and cultural communities”.

“Dear Donatus,

“The recent closure of the Streatham Space Project has caused a good deal of concern locally. In response, local people have come together to create Streatham Arts Community (or SAC) to promote and work towards the reopening of this crucial arts space for the benefit of our community.

“As David Harvey and I [Jane Wroe Wright] are both well connected with local groups such as Streatham Theatre Company, The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre, The Streatham Society, InStreatham BID, Streatham Action, Streatham Choral, Streatham Festival and more, we believe that we are well placed to take a coordinating role in these efforts. It is in this capacity that we are writing to you to offer Streatham Arts Community’s connections and experience to Lambeth Council to enhance the efforts that, no doubt,  you are making towards the same end.

“We share your frustration that Streatham Space Project failed to capture the imagination of patrons, and has proved to be too expensive for local groups to use for their activities. We have over 100 local people who support the reopening of the space and its theatre with a viable and sustainable business model. 

“In the first instance, we would like to meet with whoever is handling this matter in your office so that we can explore how best to support your initiatives. We are also available to meet with any operating companies with whom you are discussing the possibility of running the space.

“Having created the Streatham Arts Community, it is our intention to hold a public meeting on the 8th May to discuss a way forward and to explore what talents and connections we have that might be useful.

“Please take this as an invitation to that meeting. We very much hope that you will wish to send a speaker for the panel. Please let us know if you are agreeable to this, and any suggestions about who else might be a constructive addition to the panel.

“If you can arrange access, it would be ideal to host this within the Streatham Space Project itself; failing that we will advise you of the time and the place for the meeting – please let us know if you can attend and your thoughts for the panel.”

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MP calls for support for theatre in Streatham

In response to the closure of Streatham Space Project, Streatham’s MP, Steve Reed, has written to Lambeth calling for support for theatre in Streatham. His text is reproduced below.

House of Commons, 14 April 2025

I am writing following the closure of the Streatham Space Project. I know from the conversations I have had with local residents that there is a strong desire locally for the space to continue to be used as a community hub, and as a venue to hold theatrical productions.

I believe it is important that theatre is allowed to flourish in Streatham. We have a diverse and vibrant community, which has a history of a thriving theatre scene. Unfortunately, over the years this has faded. I am proud to be supporting the work of those locally that are working tirelessly to bring theatre back to Streatham.

I believe that it is right that theatre in Streatham should be supported. The taIents of local residents should be encouraged. For many, theatre is not accessible due to financial means or living in an area that lacks the facilities. I am ambitious for our community, and those that live here. They deserve the same opportunities to watch theatre that those living elsewhere have.

I am therefore asking for action to be taken that will secure the future of theatre in Streatham through working alongside local groups, such as the Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre, to give those growing up in Streatham today the same opportunities that they would have had many years ago.

I would be grateful if you could inform me on how Lambeth Council is planning to work with local residents to support theatre in Streatham.

Steve Reed OBE MP