Passing Clouds: Protesters handed major boost to save Dalston live music venue

Lease dispute: Hundreds of people have supported a bid to save Passing Clouds in Dalston
Nick Cunard
Jamie Bullen26 October 2016

Protesters fighting the closure of popular music venue Passing Clouds were today given a major boost in their bid to save it.

Hackney Council announced the Dalston club has been made an asset of community value (ACV) which could result in the venue being purchased to stave off closure.

The granting of an ACV means any landlord wanting to sell the building must give the community six months to buy it.

The venue has been at the centre of a bitter two-year battle to extend its lease after it was bought by property developers Landhold Developments.

In September, hundreds of supporters marched through the streets in support of Passing Clouds after an eviction order was granted at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch county court.

Protest march: Hundreds of music lovers marched against the closure of Passing Clouds in Dalston
Angus Moncrieff/Twitter

Celebrities including Paloma Faith, author Ian Sinclair and rapper Roots Manuva backed the bid along with representatives from Fabric.

Hackney mayor Philip Glanville said the club’s change of status signalled a “strong message” the council will protect its live music venues.

He said: “I’m pleased to confirm that Hackney Council has decided to make Passing Clouds an Asset of Community Value.

“I hope this sends out a strong message about the cultural value of our live music venues, and how we as a Council will seek to protect them.

“Passing Clouds was a unique venue with an exciting, creative yet community feel to it.

“In many ways it has become a victim of its own success; venues like it were the catalyst for the resurgence of Dalston’s night life, which has made the area such a profitable place for developers.

“Sadly this doesn’t mean that it will be able to reopen immediately – ACV-status only offers groups the opportunity to express an interest in buying a property if the owner plans to sell it – but I hope it serves as a boost to the campaigners and sends out a message to the owners of the building that this venue and the community that developed around it is important and should be considered in any future plans.”

The Standard has approached Landhold Developments for a comment.

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