When we started the campaign COVID hadn’t been heard of, there was a shortage of community space and workspace in Streatham and a desire in the community to save the practically empty SHT. This was an opportunity to help with the regeneration of the local area and local high street that was beginning to happen. It gathered wide support from the community, industry and local businesses. Streatham Space Project were supportive as they see the benefits of bring more footfall to Streatham with a bigger arts/culture/entertainment offer.

We were and remain clear that this revived building could not just be a theatre but had to have multiple uses, including working/meeting space, facilities for creatives and a potential home for creative organisations as well as event and performance spaces, food and beverage offerings etc.

As COVID has hit us, this need for flexibility and not being tied to a small number of offers has become more important. Post-COVID the potential for the revived building to help regenerate the local economy and bring the community back together will be even more important. Also, if business keeps working away from the office there may be the need for smaller co-working hubs more locally. The viability study and EIA will be looking at these issues and opportunities, and also consulting with other venues in the area.