East London culture hub forced to move as council changes building’s use

Stratford Circus Arts Centre will leave its home of nearly a decade later this month after losing a long-running battle against Newham Council.

The local authority decided in February to change the use of the centre's building to expand a 'youth zone' as part of a 2018 pledge to double its youth offer.

Stratford Circus, "after a period of reflection and transition", plans to offer more participatory and community activities with the support of Arts Council England.

Interim CEO Lucy Atkinson said it was "bittersweet" to leave its site.

"We have enjoyed creating many wonderful memories at Stratford Circus Arts Centre and were devastated to have to lose staff through this process. 2020 has been an immensely difficult year for our sector, with many more challenges ahead.

"I am so pleased we have found a way of being able to continue our work in the future and we will explore what this will look like over the coming few months with our audiences, customers, companies, promoters and artists."