Printworks plans to reopen have been approved

London nightclub Printworks is set to return in 2026 after Southwark Council approved planning consent to redevelop the venue on Tuesday evening (September 24), the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) reports.

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Michael Kill, CEO of NITA, said in a statement sent to Mixmag: “This is an extremely positive moment for London’s nightlife and the entire cultural ecosystem of the city. Printworks has long stood as a beacon of creativity and innovation, not just in the UK but globally."

"The approval is a testament to the incredible support from the local authorities, community, the music industry, key stakeholders and the dedicated team behind Printworks. With full steam ahead on these exciting plans, we are one step closer to seeing the venue reopen its doors, bringing back the energy, passion, and world-class experiences that made it such an iconic space," the post continues.

News of Printworks’ potential closing was first hinted at in October 2021 when property developer British Land submitted a proposal to Southwark Council to turn the 6000-capacity club into a block of offices.

This sparked a wave of protestations from the dance music community and beyond, with over 10,000 people signing a petition calling for the plans to be scrapped.

In 2022 Broadwick Live revealed it was in talks to reopen the venue following the site development, with its future unclear when the the renovation plans were approved in July that year.

The club shuttered with a final weekend of parties in late-April and early May of 2023, that saw the likes of Peggy Gou, Bicep and Black Coffee play, with organisers saying at the time they expected to see Printworks reopen in 2026.

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This year, in February, an update came that the property developers were in talks with Broadwick Live, the organisation representing Printworks, about turning the former printing press into a ‘cultural venue’ that would include offices, an exhibition space and a live music venue.

British Land submitted these plans to Southwark Council in February and these have now been approved. The planning consent can be viewed here.

According to plans, the redevelopment will see the club’s iconic Press Halls room remain as a music venue, while the other half of the site will be converted into offices and retail space.

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Supposedly, the Press Halls will also be used for meetings, corporate events and conferences, and the planned working spaces will have full view of the room.

The news comes just days after a report from CGA Neilson revealed that the UK has lost 65 nightclubs since the start of 2024, putting the rate of closures at three a week, which is higher than previous years.

Kill called it an “alarming issue”, which threatens to “jeopardise not only jobs but the very heart of nightlife and culture in communities across the country.”

At the end of his recent statement about Printworks re-opening, he says: “This news couldn’t come at a better time as we continue to champion the importance of venues like Printworks in shaping the future of our industry."

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram