Down and out at the Inn On The Green
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Inn On The Green closing down? It appears that The Inn on the Green is closing down end of the month. The Inn is a unique place for the community and has a diverse history of music and arts. It's closure will have a long lasting damage. Read this statement from the venue.
Statement from the venue:
"
Well, folks, our final gig is SATURDAY NIGHT 30TH APRIL. Our landlords have pulled the plug on us. We have been arrears with our rent for some time now. We continue to make every attempt to pay the rent but the past two years has been very difficult, what with the recession, followed by the Big Society which has cut jobs everywhere. We thought we were negotiating a way that we could continue but Thursday 14th April the bombshell was delivered to us, that the licence to occupy was being withdrawn after 30th April and we are to clear the venue of our belongings – notwithstanding it is a Bank Holiday weekend…..
We have put our heart and soul into developing and running what we believe to be a resource, a safe haven for our local community. We have celebrated the immense diversity of our community and made everyone feel welcome. Daily papers and magazines, plus books, toys for children, have helped create this atmosphere. We have promoted local artists and photographers by exhibiting their work and gain some publicity – and work has been sold.
We believe we have built up an excellent reputation as an inclusive and diverse community-focussed centre of music, art and entertainment with affordable prices in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We have a unique clientele aged from 1 to 90, representative of the huge ethnic mix of North Kensington.
We have provided space and resources for Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Roma Traveller History Month, Octavia Hill Community Projects, youth events, and countless more.
Weddings and wakes, christenings and memorable birthdays: we have hosted them all. And we have always welcomed children and dogs. Many new mums will testify that without us providing the space and a warm welcome they wouldn’t have managed their new motherhood.
Over a year ago we made a proposal to WDT that they consider reducing our rent and we outlined the reasons which included how much we have benefited the local community which surely is also the remit of the Trust itself – so aren’t we doing their job for them? We received no response to this, no negotiated process on how we could both move forward….
So, finally, a huge thank you to all our staff, past and present, who we believe have helped make you all welcome – and of course a big thank you to you, our customers, for coming again and again and making this your second home.
IF YOU FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THIS, THERE IS NOW A PETITION THAT YOU CAN SIGN AND/OR YOU CAN CONTACT OUR LANDLORDS, THE WESTWAY DEVELOPMENT TRUST TO VOICE YOUR CONCERN.
In the meantime, we continue to pay off our deficit of rent but it is an uphill struggle – any donations are welcome – and anyone with outstanding tabs, please pay up!
Tina and Dave
"
to sign the petition go to http://www.innonthegreen.org/
Join the Inn On the Green Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_187077611338658
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