Everybody needs good neighbours

The Albany has had a focus on regeneration since it opened in 1899, and now new opportunities are enabling it to play a pivotal role in the fast changing outlook for Deptford and its surrounding areas. Despite the economic gloom, new investment has started to make a real impact on these under-valued parts of south east London.

The Albany has remained true to its values, effectively reinventing its purpose for the twenty-first century. Our experience of running a successful performing arts venue, working with its local communities and creating a social enterprise model, has put us in an ideal position to form a new partnership with Lewisham Council, our local authority. Our role in the community has been recognised with our appointment to manage the Deptford Lounge, Lewisham Council’s new award-winning building complex and civic space which aims to boost the area’s regeneration and revitalise its High Street. The Deptford Lounge is due to open in the New Year.

Neighbouring Southwark Council has similarly ambitious plans for the regeneration of Canada Water, creating a new town centre with the £14m Canada Water Library and Culture Space as its focal point. The Albany’s experience and track record a couple of miles down the road was again seen as a valuable asset and, in October 2011, we won the contract to run the Culture Space within the building. Opening up two new buildings within a few months of each other and working hard to develop these new partnerships is proving to be a huge challenge, but there are real benefits in being able to share the learning from each experience.

Both buildings are signs of forward-thinking councils, who recognise not only the value of culture in regeneration but the potential for community-based arts organisations, like the Albany, to take a leadership role in the process. Both buildings house new library spaces and key to the success of both will be how these new ‘super’ libraries work as part of a larger cultural and community space. Early signs are very positive, with Canada Water Library currently attracting 3,000 visitors a day.

Financial sustainability is a necessity for both buildings and councils are understandably looking for cost effective solutions. We are establishing models which will encourage local people and organisations to come together in each building, contributing to their viability and success. Each building will also focus on attracting new people to its area, whilst reflecting the needs of the local population.

This kind of partnership between arts organisations is not unique, and there are similar initiatives springing up around the country, most notably at the Birmingham REP. At a time when the arts sector is seeking to broaden and diversify its funding base, this is an innovative new business model for the Albany, one which will cement our position as an arts organisation at the heart of its local community.

Despite our involvement in two remarkable new buildings, there is also a need to revitalise the Albany’s own building as it reaches its thirtieth anniversary, to ensure that it can meet the needs of the next thirty years. A new partnership with a commercial developer will enable us to invest around £2m into the building’s renewal over the next few years, and allow us to maintain our place in what promises to be a brighter future for this part of London.