The multipurpose space in Canada Water will open in early 2017.

How did you find this venue?



We became aware of the space two years ago but after a few enquiries it was clear that there wasn't the possibility to do any music events. A year and a half later we received a call from a friend of ours that the space had changed hands and that we should meet the new team. We attended a site visit where we met Simeon Aldred, who's head of creative and strategy at The Vibration Group, which includes a division that specialises in venue management. Simeon gave us the guided tour and explained to us how the Printworks was part of a regeneration project for Canada Water, and this old printing factory would be a new experimental multipurpose venue and if we wanted to become part of the story... as soon as we stepped through the doors we knew this had all the markings of something very special indeed.



What kind of events will you be hosting?



As a multi-use space the plan is to curate a vibrant spectrum of cultural events. Printworks' next new chapter will see some truly unique events, including plans for a mini jazz season, a classical music programme alongside markets, vintage fairs, food festivals and Cartel, a new car show concept to hit London next autumn, plus the launch of a new in-house series of music events starting in February 2017.



How many different usable spaces are there inside Printworks?



Six, although there are many more smaller rooms and hidden places. There are also more warehouses within the complex but these won't be used straight away. The event music series will take place within the absolutely incredible sound-proofed Press Halls.



What impact do you think it'll have on London's club scene?



Clubbing is generally going through difficult times including a massive decline in the number of large and small scale venues due to new building developments, increased rents and licensing difficulties such as the the now successful battle to save fabric. A new event space like this with a licensed capacity of 5,000 is a rarity, especially one that has so many possibilities, so much history and importantly for London a central event space that is sound proof!!



What's your long-term vision for Printworks?



This space is experimental and as such its future is dependent on the success of the project working as a multi-use space covering all spectrum of events, from ballet to fashion and from food to car shows, while at the same time engaging with the local community.

Photo credit: Luke Taylor

London has a new 5,000-capacity venue called Printworks opening in January of 2017.The multipurpose space is located in Canada Water, in London's Docklands area, on a 16-acre site once used as a newspaper printing facility. (The Canada Water station, which is serviced by the Night Tube, is about a five-minute walk away.) It has six different event spaces located on multiple levels, with much of the printing facility's original layout and machinery retained.In addition to a nightclub, Printworks (which is being dubbed an "experimental venue" by those behind it) will also offer "arts, fashion, film, food, immersive theatre, dance and more." The site has already hosted Secret Cinema screenings ofandThe music programme is being overseen by LWE, a well-known London promoter that puts on Junction 2 Festival and large-scale events at Tobacco Dock, and Broadwick Live, which owns Festival No.6, Field Day and Snowbombing. The first season of in-house events will be announced on December 1st. Those two companies will work with The Vibration Group, which is operating the venue, and British Land, which leases Printworks and is overseeing a wider redevelopment of the Canada Water area. The planning application for the temporary use of the Printworks as a culture, music and arts space is now under consideration by Southwark Council—if approved, events will begin in early 2017.Take a look at some exclusive images.We spoke with LWE this week to find out more about Printworks.Watch a video for Printworks.