Our aim:

TO SECURE A NEW COOPERATIVE FOR SOUTH EAST LONDON, OR RISK LOSING AFFORDABLE HOMES AND IMPORTANT CULTURAL SPACE TO DEVELOPERS

For the last five years, the former Rising Sun pub on the boundary between Peckham and New Cross has provided affordable housing for around a dozen local people. Our community spans beyond the residents. Moreover, it’s an LGBTQ+ friendly, interdisciplinary cultural hub and studio complex that has been instrumental in launching the careers of a range of artists over the past 5 years.

“The loss of affordable workspace, and consequent outflow of artists and makers, is presenting a serious threat to the wellbeing and prosperity of a city so reliant on creativity for its success.”

The property was very close to being turned into unaffordable luxury flats, and we had agreed with the vendor to purchase the property ourselves, securing cooperative housing for up to 18 people in perpetuity, as well as building an independent, interdisciplinary cultural hub and studio complex for south east London.

The vendor then delivered the damning news that he no longer wishes to sell the property and so we have gone on to hunt for a new space for our community.

We believe that the dark days of this crisis can lead to a better future, and we can make better, fairer cities that support people and diverse ways of life. The Rising Sun cooperative housing can embody an alternative to both private renting and owner-occupation, in democratic control, while providing environmentally-pioneering homes for 9-18 people.

How we’re different

We’re different from other creator houses in that we’re a registered co-operative and governance is completely democratic, by the creators, for the creators as oppose to being owned by any one platform or big company.

In just 3 years, London has lost over 17% of studio spaces. Accessible creative spaces are crucial for the community but they are under constant threat for a number of reasons: