Hackney’s iconic MOTH Club is once again under threat as fresh planning applications for residential developments nearby have been submitted to Hackney Council, marking the second time in three months that the cornerstone venue in London’s independent music scene has faced jeopardy from proposed developments.
The latest threat involves two separate applications for residential blocks on Morning Lane, one of which includes balconies overlooking MOTH Club’s smoking area and backing onto its stage wall. The venue’s management warns that these developments could lead to conflicts, including noise complaints from residents, which could endanger the club’s ability to operate.
In a statement shared on social media, MOTH Club criticised the fragmented development plans, arguing that splitting the proposed building into two has allowed the developers to bypass the obligation to include social housing. While supporting the need for more affordable housing, the venue expressed concerns about the adverse impact of these specific plans on the area’s cultural fabric. “Building multi-storey blocks towering over an independent venue like MOTH would have devastating consequences for its future,” they said.
The venue, renowned for its eclectic programming of live music, comedy nights, and film screenings, has hosted performances from acts such as Lady Gaga, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, IDLES, and Jarvis Cocker. It has also played a significant role in supporting emerging artists and maintaining Hackney’s cultural vibrancy.
This marks the second time in recent months that the MOTH Club has called for public support. Earlier this year, the venue opposed a similar application for flats on Morning Lane, referencing potential threats to its long-term viability. The Music Venue Trust (MVT), a national charity that supports grassroots music spaces, previously described the situation as indicative of broader pressures facing independent venues across the UK.
The MVT recently flagged that 350 grassroots venues are at risk of imminent closure due to rising operational costs, declining revenue, and conflicts stemming from urban development. The trust’s initiatives, including the #OwnOurVenues campaign and The Artist Pledge, aim to secure the future of such spaces.
MOTH Club’s management has urged fans and local residents to oppose the latest applications by signing a petition and contacting Hackney Council, which can be signed here. “We’re calling on everyone to stand with MOTH Club and oppose these plans,” they wrote. At the time of writing, over 1,200 people have signed the petition in support.
The challenges faced by MOTH Club echo similar threats to other venues, such as Studio 338 in Greenwich, which opposed a residential development nearby at the same time as MOTH Club’s original appeal in September. The problem shows no sign as abating as urban redevelopment continues across London, which pits the need for preserving cultural institutions against the ongoing push to meet housing demands.
