Brixton Hill Studios saved from closure after community came to rescue

A busy music studio in the heart of Brixton has been saved from closing down after reaching a settlement with its landlord.

Brixton Hill Studios, in Brixton Hill, was told by its multi-million pound-valued landlord Lexadon that it would need to pay a 133 per cent rent increase to renew its lease in June.

After a month of community campaigning and support from Lambeth council to save the studios, Lexadon has now agreed on a settlement.

Stephen Gilchrist, founder of Brixton Hill Studios, has been living in Brixton since 2001.

He said: “I had tried to get hold of the landlord myself but it wasn’t until the community came out and took action that things happened.

“If it hadn’t been for everyone’s support I don’t think this settlement would have come about. We wouldn’t still be open.

“We’re so happy that we have been saved. There’s five people that rely on me for a living and a whole community of musicians that rely on us, so it’s bigger than just one person.

“It’s been so great to see the support.”

Mr Gilchrist said in the past week, since announcing the settlement, two musicians who use the studios have told him they are “elated”. Both of them had moved to Brixton just to be close to the studio, which they practice in almost every day.

The space has been home to musicians who have gone on to big success, such as post-punk band Shame and experimental rock band Black Midi.

He said: “It’s been really great finding out how much people love the studio. People have been coming here for ages, but this has made them express how they really feel. It’s so nice to hear.”

The landlord has offered Brixton Hill Studios a five-year lease, with graduated rent increase. After three years there is a break in which the studios can leave the contract.

He said: “We’ve had to make a serious financial investment to be able to stay.

“There’s still a big increase in the rent price but I’ve been cautiously managing our accounts so we can make that investment with a view to the fact that in a few years we might be able to find somewhere else.”

Mr Gilchrist said that the studios is about to launch a campaign to try and raise funds to buy their own building or a plot of land to build on.

He said: “With our own building we can manage our own rent. Rent is stupidly high at the moment, I guess that’s just the way it works but it means that only corporate businesses can survive.

“Independent, smaller businesses are really badly affected. The arts bring so much money into the country but few people make a living on it.

“I’m the director of the studio but I still work other jobs. I teach two days a week, I’m a music examiner and I stand in for gigs when anyone needs a drummer.

“It’s a long week but its worth it – I get this amazing playground to work in and use.”

Lexadon has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: From left, Josh Finerty and Charlie Forbes from the band Shame, Brixton Hill Studio staff Nick Howiantz, Stephen Gilchrist, Alessio Costa, Jimi Scandal (Smith) and Charlotte Calfe. Front, studio Dog Rudy. (Picture: Stephen Gilchrist)