The Coronet music venue in Elephant & Castle to close in January 2017

The Coronet music venue in Elephant Castle to close in January 2017

South London is to lose another famous music venue after the operators of The Coronet at Elephant Castle threw in the towel on their valiant attempts to save the venue from demolition.

Save the Coronet campaign releases video to help save south London landmark venue

We first reported on a petition to save the music venue and former cinema in July 2014, but despite attracting over 4,600 signatures, the decision was made to flatten the Coronet as part of the major redevelopment of the Elephant Castle Shopping Centre site, in a multi-million scheme led by corporate property developers, Delancey (see below).

The Coronet music venue in Elephant Castle to close in January 2017

With the Coronet’s final lease running out on the 5th January 2017, venue Richard Littman said

We’ve been here for so long, and we will be really sad to go, but with the Elephant Castle changing so much, so quickly, it’s become clear that the evolving character of the area is no longer right for a venue like ours.

Rather than fighting against change, we want to focus on celebrating The Coronet’s incredible history. What better way to do that than by making The Coronet’s final year of operation its biggest and best!

A campaign was made to get the building – parts of which date back to 1879 – listed with Historic England, but the appeal fell on deaf ears.

With the venue having just over a year left before over 130 years of history gets turned into dust, we expect there to be some big farewell gigs coming up, with Littman imploring potential acts to get in to touch quick.

The Coronet music venue in Elephant Castle to close in January 2017

[The Coronet as a cinema in the late 1960s – more info on Cinema Treasures]

Here’s the venue’s statement about their impending closure.

LEASE EXTENDED UNTIL 2017

It’s the Final Countdown! – The Coronet announces it is to close in 2017

After 138 years as a much-loved entertainment venue, The Coronet will close its doors for the very last time on 5^thJanuary 2017

The Coronet in Elephant Castle, an entertainment fixture since 1879, is to close its doors for the very last time on 5^th January 2017. The coming year will see the final ever opportunity for artists and patrons to enjoy this iconic venue, a stalwart of the South London entertainment scene for nearly 140 years.

Following positive negotiations with their landlords, the management team at The Coronet has secured a one year extension to their lease. This extension will enable the much-loved venue to host a final year of events, and enable artists and patrons to enjoy The Coronet’s unique charms and fantastic atmosphere for one last time.

The Coronet has been a vibrant cultural hub and community resource throughout its 138 year history. First opening its doors as the Elephant Castle Theatre in 1879, the venue has continued to entertain Londoners and guests from around the world in a variety of guises; as the Elephant Castle Theatre, an ABC cinema, the Coronet Film Centre and most recently as the multipurpose Coronet. In its most recent guise, The Coronet has played host to the likes of Tom Jones, Oasis, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake.

The next year will see a wide range of concerts, events and gigs being hosted at The Coronet and those seeking to make a booking are encouraged to get in touch with the management team as soon as possible, as the calendar is filling up fast.

Richard Littman, Director of The Coronet said;

“We have been here for so long, and we will be really sad to go, but with the Elephant Castle changing so much, so quickly, it’s become clear that the evolving character of the area is no longer right for a venue like ours.

“We’ve worked with our landlord to extend our lease for one final year, until 5^th January 2017. We’re looking forward to welcoming back old friends and making new ones – if you’ve ever wanted to perform here then get in touch quick – the calendar is filling up fast.

“Rather than fighting against change, we want to focus on celebrating The Coronet’s incredible history. What better way to do that than by making The Coronet’s final year of operation its biggest and best!”

FOR ALL BOOKING ENQUIRES : bookings@coronetlondon.co.uk