News

We have received the following from Ruach City Church regarding community use of the theatre auditorium.

The below has been proposed in terms of pricing, however Bishop has advised that 2026 should be made free of charge for all community events and this will be funded by the generous donation of Ruach City Church members to cover the operational costs of running the building during these events, which will cost approx. £15,000 – £30,000 per year or more. The events will be charged from 2027 as explained below. Please do let me know if you require further information.

Pricing
To generate demand and awareness an initial 9-month period of ‘Ticket Sharing’ is being implemented for community groups, ensuring revenue is shared between the event organisers and Ruach, requiring minimal financial commitment from community groups, which is intended to promote the availability of the building to Community Groups. Following this initial ‘Ticket Sharing’ period, a 35% discount to open market hire rates are proposed with day rates of £3,735 and half day rates are £1,868, to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the Community Use at the Property.

There is now a Hire Form at Ruach’s website.

SAC has a number of questions, which we will take up with Ruach, including details around:

• how will the ticket sharing work?
• what is included in the rates?
• is there a venue spec?
• are the prices given the discounted rates and is VAT included?
• will other spaces be available and at what rate?

We’d welcome your comments.

Lambeth have launched their Night Time Economy Strategy for 2025-2030 (Text) (Glossy).

Key messages in the strategy include:

Working hand in hand with businesses, we’ll protect and grow Lambeth’s world class night time economy, helping people feel safer and celebrating our unique character after dark.

Protecting grassroots music, theatre and arts venues through updates to licensing and planning rules, including embedding the ‘Agent of Change’ principle to protect existing venues from threat of closure due to noise complaints from new developments.

One the same day, the GLA London Nightlife Taskforce has issued its own report.

The London Nightlife Taskforce brought together London’s nightlife communities, businesses, stakeholders and the public to create an action plan for the capital’s nightlife. 

An independent body, the Taskforce worked with researchers, partners and the public to explore challenges, levers and potential solutions for London’s nightlife. 

[The report] sets out a comprehensive plan to drive the future of the capital at night. Outlining 23 recommendations across 10 areas to protect, support and grow London’s vital night time industries. The report is the most up-to-date and comprehensive evidence base on London’s nightlife ever produced.

Lambeth’s Strategy has a section about Streatham which says:

STREATHAM: A high street of hidden gems

As Europe’s longest high street, Streatham High Road is home to a rich mix of amenities, from a major leisure centre to independent food spots and music venues that bring the area to life after dark. While its night time rhythm is quieter than some of Lambeth’s other town centres, Streatham’s offer is full of character, with venues like Porky’s and the White Lion hosting reggae, soul and community-led events that reflect the area’s cultural roots. Streatham is home to large green spaces, most notably the historic Rookery at Streatham Common, which offer opportunities for evening activity outside. Three railway stations and a 24-hour bus interchange connect residents and visitors to the rest of London. Although the area’s cultural offer is more targeted to locals, the former Streatham Space Project site presents a major opportunity to introduce a new cultural anchor to the high street.

Opportunities to strengthen Streatham’s night time economy

Through our engagement we heard a clear message: Streatham residents and businesses are proud of their neighbourhood and want to see it thrive at night. There’s a strong appetite to bring more attention, investment and activity to the area, especially in ways that reflect its identity and support local businesses.

The cost of living crisis, competition from nearby centres like Balham, and changing consumer habits – such as the rise of food delivery apps – have all impacted footfall and created challenges for the night time economy. The high street’s length and busy traffic create long gaps between clusters of activity, and some residents have raised concerns about safety and visible street drug use in these quieter stretches.

We are committed to working with the community to unlock Streatham’s potential. That means supporting existing businesses, activating underused spaces, and creating new opportunities for culture, food and social connection after dark. With the right investment and partnerships, Streatham can continue to provide a night time offer that is valued by residents and visitors alike.

What we’ll do

• Attract a new cultural anchor at the former Streatham Space Project site with a night time offer tailored to the community

• Increase cultural activities for Streatham communities through organisations like the Artists Studio Company, ensuring that the renovated space provides regular free cultural programming for the public

• Work with the Safer Business Network to respond to safety challenges, helping businesses tackle incidents by sharing intelligence, and ensure policing allocations through reporting

• Raise the reputation of Streatham’s unique local night offer through BID plans to invest in sector-focused marketing

• Improve Streatham’s local green space through projects like Transforming Streatham Green, making spaces more accessible and safer for a range of community uses, day and night

• Secure a community offer at the Streatham Hill Theatre site that includes evening and night time activity

Local Case Study

Festivals in Streatham Streatham has an exciting collection of local festivals that enliven the area at night and show how activities showcasing local character can build the reputation of the night time economy, even in areas less known for nightlife. The InStreatham Food Festival, delivered by the BID, is a highlight of the local calendar and includes a restaurant tour map that guides people through the area’s culinary gems alongside the Food Fair on Streatham Green that runs into the evening. It’s a celebration of local hospitality and flavour. The volunteer-run Streatham Free Film Festival transforms everyday spaces into pop-up cinemas, pairing screenings with food, performances and parties. The Streatham Festival rounds out the offer with a programme of music, visual arts and entertainment. From the art trail in local businesses to the “Streatham Strut” – a 10-hour music crawl featuring 10 live acts in 10 venues – it’s a grassroots celebration of creativity that puts local artists and businesses centre stage. Together, these festivals drive footfall, support the night time economy, and create platforms for cultural participation in an area with fewer dedicated venues. They show how community-led programming can unlock the potential of public and business spaces and strengthen local identity.

The recent Lambeth Now Business Newsletter highlights the relaunch of ASC Studios in Streatham Hill as a newly refurbished hub for artists and makers. 

This former factory circa 1960, accessed through an archway off Streatham Hill, now provides 47 studios for artists and designer-makers.

“An update on the future of Streatham Space project.

The council is working closely with London Square to secure a new tenant for the space. We’re currently finalising a timeline for the tender process and we’re hoping to confirm the selected tenant in the new year.

For parties interested in submitting a proposal to take on the lease, there will be an open house event, to come and see the space and understand if it is suitable for them.

There will also be a community engagement session.  Feedback from that session will be shared with interested parties so London Square and the council can ensure that when parties respond to the tender, they’re considering the needs and interests of the local Streatham community. 

When the dates are fixed, we’ll update all interested parties, and other community representatives who’ve been in touch, so they know this is coming and can share the details with their networks.

We’re sure you’ll agree that it’s really exciting to know that the space will soon be coming back to life. 

Best,

Culture and Creative Economy team 
Economy, Culture & Skills
Climate & Inclusive Growth Directorate
London Borough of Lambeth”