Southwark Studios supports a wide cohort of artists, designers and makers... is a strong advocate for the sector and has contributed to shaping the Mayor's policies on affordable workspace"

GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY
Arts Council England recognise Southwark Studios' important role in the art ecology of the city. It offers the essential ingredients for visual artists to develop their practice"

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Southwark Council support Southwark Studios' social impact goals. They are committed to supporting local economic growth, with a track record since 2009 of investing in the borough"

SOUTHWARK COUNCIL

We build and manage affordable workspaces for individual artists and small businesses in the creative industries

Southwark Studios is a Community Benefit Society.

Since 2009 we have operated workspaces for artists and helped developers deliver affordable workspace planning obligations, securing new homes for our vital creative industries.

Southwark Studios are currently designing a number of new locations, each secured on long-term agreements that guarantee truly affordable workspaces for local artists.

We are described by Sadiq Khan as a “game changer” for the affordable workspace sector, and our ultimate goal is to help build the next generation of London’s cultural infrastructure, securing the much-needed spaces for the creative economy.

Building the Future: Long-term Artists Studios

Southwark Studios has pioneered a new solution that is securing the affordable workspaces required for artists to continue to work in our capital.

For over a decade we have developed our long-term leasehold model, successfully integrating creative workspaces into new-build and mixed-use redevelopment sites.

Southwark Studios engages with developers throughout the planning process, with an aim to secure detailed agreements on terms that are viable for all stakeholders. The sites we have secured to date are currently used by the Greater London Authority as examples of best-practice.

We continue to seek new opportunities to partner with developers, and can easily replicate our successful model in new locations, delivering site diversity, high-impact social value, and activation with an engaged community of creative, local artists.

Southwark Studios unique experience in achieving planning obligations in the emerging sector of ‘affordable workspace’, whilst guaranteeing spaces remain viable for working artists, is helping to deliver our ultimate goal: securing the future of London’s cultural infrastructure.

Vinegar Yard, SE1

  • 13,000sqft.
  • 25 studios and spacious community-engagement space, publicly accessible directly from St.Thomas Street.
  • Landmark agreement to provide truly-affordable workspace within Zone 1 of central London.
  • Secured with a 30 year lease.

Ruby Triangle, SE15

  • 6,000sqft.
  • 12 individual studio units.
  • Suitable for light-industrial creative practitioners.
  • Secured on affordable terms with a 30 year lease.

Pickle Factory, SE1

  • 12,000sqft.
  • Space for 30 artist studios.
  • 25 year lease.
  • Secured in 2016 with a pioneering Section 106 agreement.

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Our History

Founded in 2009 Southwark Studios took a meanwhile-use lease on an industrial building near Tower Bridge Road.

We converted this space into 43 studio units that were let on all-inclusive affordable terms. We also provided a range of communal areas like our cinema, dark room, library, meeting rooms and kitchens.

We operated at capacity, catering to over 250 artists including the UK’s top Kickstarter and Etsy creative businesses. 

80% of our tenants used our Southwark Studios as their place of business, 67% of our artists were female, and 25% BAME.  We curated a productive, working community for creative practitioners, assisting to launch careers of internationally renowned artists.

Additionally we hosted a successful community engagement programme, welcoming visitors to our Open Studios, exhibitions and educational events. Our events were always free to the public, and our Gallery space was offered pro-bono for other creative groups and local charities. 

Southwark Studios maintains our strong ties to the local community, and we look forward to opening our new sites to give artists secure and affrodbale workspaces to call home.

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All of our artist studios are under construction, and we do not have spaces available to occupy at this time.

If you would like to receive news of our latest updates, including being the first to receive information regarding future studio availability, please subscribe to our newsletter.

Alternately, for other enquiries not relating to studio availability, please use this contact form.

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