Moth Club launches petition opposing planning application for new flats

Moth Club has launched an online petition opposing the planning application for new flats in the area.

The beloved East London venue is contesting two separate proposals from Hackney Council to develop a block of flats on nearby Morning Lane.

“These proposals have been deliberately split into two applications to avoid the obligation to include social housing,” they wrote on Instagram yesterday (21st November). “While we fully support the need for more social and council housing, building multi-story blocks towering over an independent venue like MOTH would have devastating consequences for its future.”

The venue point out that one of the planned blocks would feature balconies “directly overlooking MOTH’s smoking area and back onto the stage wall,” suggesting that this would create “conflicts, noise complaints, and a serious threat to the venue’s ability to operate.”

You can read more about the plans and support the petition here. Check out Moth Club’s full statement below.

A recent survey by the Night Time Industries Association (NITA) reported that 90% of UK nightlife venues are struggling with “unmanageable costs”.

The report, issued following the Autumn Budget announcement, found that of the 500 NTIA members, the overwhelming majority said they’re “experiencing devastating financial impacts”, and 40% fear they may be forced to close in the next six months unless additional financial support is given. 

In 2023, figures from the Music Venue Trust (MVT) showed that 125 grassroots music venues closed down over a 12-month period.

Read our 2024 piece on the future of London clubbing here.