Community performance space Applecart Arts has closed its doors for the last time due to cash flow issues. Equity activists had been campaigning to save the much-loved venue, which was an important source of freelance work for local Equity members.
The campaign called on Newham council to make an urgent investment of £100k to save the venue for the Borough. Despite receiving no public funding, Applecart Arts say that they have injected £1.2m into the local economy in the past two years, as well as invested £70,000 in the restoration of Newham’s Passmore Edwards Library.
But, after the council failed to step in, on New Year’s Day Applecart Arts’ trustees posted a statement on their website announcing the closure of the space:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Applecart Arts. After years of serving as a vibrant hub for creativity, storytelling, and community connection, we must say farewell. This decision comes despite every effort to sustain the organisation, including the tremendous support from our patrons, artists, and friends.
The closure of Applecart Arts marks latest small venue to shut, part of a worrying trend across the UK. Equity will continue to fight to save these important small venues that provide essential work opportunities for many of our members and deliver access to the arts for local communities across the country.
An Equity spokesperson said “We're sad to share that Applecart Arts has closed. It's a great loss for both the local and creative community and shows short-sighted thinking from Newham Council. We will continue to fight to protect small venues across the UK, they need all of our help more than ever.”
