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<p>I am writing as a deeply concerned supporter of the MOTH Club on Valette Street, a venue that has become one of London’s most important grassroots cultural spaces. For nearly a decade, MOTH Club has served as a launchpad for emerging artists, a home for new comedy and alternative culture, and a community hub for people across Hackney and beyond. It is a place where creativity genuinely thrives.</p> <p>An imminent planning decision now threatens its future. A proposal to build residential flats, <strong>split into two applications, to avoid creating affordable housing</strong>, directly alongside the venue with balconies overlooking the stage wall and smoking area would place future residents in inevitable conflict, with a space that relies on late-night performance and atmosphere. Noise complaints and licensing pressures are not a possibility; they are a certainty. If approved in its current form, this development could silence a venue that has contributed enormously to Hackney’s cultural identity. </p> <p>The scale of public and industry concern is extraordinary. More than 25,000 people have signed a petition opposing the development, and the outpouring of support includes artists, labels, venues, festivals, agencies, and cultural institutions across the UK and beyond. Supporters range from emerging talent to globally recognised names such as Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), members of Green Day, Black Country, New Road, Tame Impala, Lewis Capaldi, Amyl and the Sniffers, Dry Cleaning, Shame, Sprints, and many more.</p> <p>Record labels including Rough Trade, Heavenly Recordings, DFA Records, Third Man Records, Mexican Summer, Fire Records, City Slang, and Moshi Moshi have publicly warned of the cultural loss this development risks. London venues and Independent festivals such as The Lexington, Green Man, End of the Road, Scala, Village Underground, KOKO, Scala, EartH, and the 100 Club have echoed these concerns.</p> <p>Their statements speak volumes:</p> <ul style="margin:0 0 16px 20px; padding:0;"> <li><strong>“To lose such an integral part of the scene would be devastating… London’s cultural reach as a whole would suffer.” — The Lexington</strong></li> <li><strong>“One of the most important musical institutions in London… MOTH Club is vital for grassroots artists.” — We Out Here Festival</strong></li> <li><strong>A launchpad, a safe space, and a rite of passage… the city’s culture would be far poorer without it.” — Rough Trade</strong></li> <li><strong>“We rely on it. It is a vital part of London’s cultural landscape.” — Black Country, New Road</strong></li> </ul> <p>This is not simply about protecting one venue. It is about safeguarding the cultural ecosystem that defines Hackney and makes London a global centre for creativity. Once lost, these spaces do not return. </p> <p>I am asking for your support in ensuring that this planning application is scrutinised with the seriousness it warrants. Whether through raising concerns, advocating for protective conditions, or helping to ensure cultural considerations are not sidelined, your voice can make a meaningful difference.</p> <p>MOTH Club is a cornerstone of grassroots culture and an irreplaceable part of Hackney’s identity. I hope you will stand with the community in protecting it for future generations. </p>

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