Brixton's Canterbury Arms will be demolished to make way for flats

04 August 2015, 15:24 | Written by Laurence Day

(News)

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.