Brixton's Canterbury Arms will be demolished to make way for flats
Brixton pub The Canterbury Arms, a local institution famed for its HDIF indie nights, has been earmarked for demolition so that developers can erect a new nine-storey apartment complex.
HDIF - How Does It Feel To Be Loved - will be hosting its final night at what NME dubbed a "legendary indie club" this Friday (7 August). Find out more about the finalé on the event's website.
Brian Fitzgerald, who has ran the venue with his family for over two decades, published an open letter to the community on Facebook:
Dear friends,
It is with extreme sadness that I announce the demise of ‘The Canterbury Arms’ Brixton.
The bar will cease trading on the 5th September 2015, this closure reflects the insatiable appetite of property developers for backstreet corner sites that will be developed into flats for tenants who live in far off lands, and these developers call it progress which maybe so…
But where do local people who want to be part of a community and their friends and relatives go to socialise. Over the years the Canterbury has celebrated weddings, christenings, birthdays, funerals and anniversaries from all cultures. There have been many club and music nights over the years, too many to mention, which have reflected the diverse communities which makes up the melting pot that Brixton personifies.
In my tenure as manager of this venerable establishment, my wife Mary, daughters Michelle and Mary-Lisa and of course Eamon have come to know and respect the locals and felt part of the community. We have made many friends and a few enemies, but that is life. So it is with extreme sorrow that we say goodbye to the pub that became home for me and my family over a very long period.
As I have said to the many friends and acquaintances who we have met over the years, through concerts at the academy, parties and celebrations – it has been a pleasure to know and serve you, even bar some of you on occasion.
There will be a final night of celebration with the legendary Gerry who has DJ’d for the last 20 years here and who is a great friend on Saturday, 29th August – you are all welcome!
Slán & Beannacht
Brian, Mary, Michelle, Mary-Lisa & Eamon
Last year saw the likes of Madame Jojo's, The Buffalo Bar, and The 12 Bar Club forced to shut doors due to soaring rents and insatiable developers.
- Ani Glass shares new single "Phantasmagoria" from upcoming second album
- Campbell King presents new single, "My Mates"
- Paul Weller joins forces with Robert Plant on "Clive's Song"
- Loreen signs to Polydor France and shares new single, "Echoes"
- BIG SPECIAL unveil surprise new album, NATIONAL AVERAGE
- A. G. Cook announces songwriting workshop with School of Song
- Boko Yout unveils debut album GUSTO, driven by semi-fictional character
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday

Lorde
Virgin

OSKA
Refined Believer

Tropical F*ck Storm
Fairyland Codex
