48 hours left for petition to stop Jamboree nightspot closing down in Limehouse

Jamboree nightspot faces eviction after 10 years at Cable Street Studios. Picture: Sin Bozkurt (Image: Sin Bozkurt)

The bohemian-style Jamboree at the Cable Street Studios has already attracted 2,000 names to an online petition to keep it open against a notice-to-quit from the landlords, with its lease up for renewal this month.

Now supporters have started a second petition to Tower Hamlets Council to get Jamboree listed as a ‘community asset’—but need 2,000 signatures by Wednesday in time for getting the issue on this-month’s town hall agenda.

“It’s disappointing to be told we have to close this popular venue,” Jamboree’s founder Rena Beck tells Thursday’s East London Advertiser.

“We appeal to landlord with less than a month left to reconsider and to the mayor to step in.

Jamboree draws audiences every night of the week. Picture: Sin Bozkurt (Image: Sin Bozkurt)

“It’s important that the council protects grassroots venues and east London’s nightlife culture—and acts now.”

Many top acts have performed at the venue, including Jude Law, Jamie Cullum and Cara Delevingne.

A proposal to the landlords that the lease be extended four months, allowing it to celebrate its 10th birthday has been turned down, without the venue owner being given a reason for refusing to extend the tenancy.

Several businesses are located in the complex including a gym, dance studio and recording studio. There is even a mosque. Jamboree is the last remaining night-time business.

Lease is up on Jamboree nightspot music venue. Picture source: Jamboree (Image: Jambouree)

London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé at City Hall has pledged support for the campaign.

She said: “Jamboree has a reputation for hosting an eclectic range of music and cabaret, contributing to east London’s diverse live music scene.

“Venues like this are vital and our draft plan for London has measures to protect its night-time economy and culture.”

The town hall, meanwhile, is being urged to grant Jamboree ‘asset of community value’ status which would take account of any redevelopment plans.

Jamboree music venue at Limehouse under threat. Picture: Jeremy Korenfeld (Image: Jeremy Korenfeld)

The campaigners are our on the streets this week with their petition in time for the council’s next full meeting if it gets 2,000 signatures from people who live or work in Tower Hamlets by Wednesday.

Jamboree is one of London’s 94 grassroots live music venues. It puts on folk, blues, Americana, East European folk, klezmer and jazz.

But half the venues have closed in the past 10 years, because of rising business rates and rents, pressure from developers or in some cases noise abatement orders.

Stepney’s George Tavern in the Commercial Road has faced a similar ‘noise abatement’ threat from encroaching developers for the past decade, but finally won the battle last summer after years of going through the courts.