Village Raw - ISSUE 4

VILLAGE RAW
PARTNER CONTENT
“Buildings are vital organisms. They contain people who are doing
something and it is people who matter, not the buildings.”
So said Reginald Uren, the architect who designed Hornsey Town Hall,
unveiled in a grand ceremony on 9 November 1935.
Words by Carla Parks. Photos courtesy of Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre.
A NEW ERA FOR
HORNSEY TOWN HALL
Clockwise: A holographic projection in Hornsey Town Hall; The flexible workspace; Outside Hornsey Town Hall with Kerb X.
Looking at Hornsey Town Hall today, it doesn’t feel very much
alive or vital. It still, however, contains people doing things.
Among them are David Reeve and Luciane Pisani, the editors
and creators of Village Raw, who continue to work from a small
office space on the first floor of the building. They aren’t the
only office tenants - other rooms are occupied, and Hornsey
Works, a co-working space, has recently opened to house more
creatives working local to Crouch End.
But the building itself is a shell of what it must have looked
like 83 years ago. A beautiful wrought-iron grille guards the
entrance, opening onto a functional reception desk. Nearby, a
clock is permanently frozen at 4 o’clock. It seems an apt metaphor
for a building that seems lost in time, stuck somewhere
between the grandeur of its past life and its uncertain future.
Into this breach steps Piers Read, managing partner of The
Time + Space Co., a business that specialises in urban regeneration
projects. Appointed as the arts operator of HTH in April
2018, it’s their job to breathe new life into what will become the
renovated arts centre – over 10,000 square feet of space is
guaranteed for community uses. Their vision is to focus on five
pillars: community, performance, events, workspace and hospitality.
For Piers, community is his number one priority.
“We want to get people, in particular the local community,
into the building. To let them know that we are totally collaborative
in our approach,” he says. “Part of the process is to understand
what the local need is for the community, the demand,
and how we can use the building for the ultimate benefit of as
many people as possible.”
To get a better understanding of what locals might want for
the arts centre, The Time + Space Co. commissioned some independently
run consultations themed around the pillars. The
last of these takes place on 13 December and is seeking views
on performance and events. “It’s not a tick-box exercise,” Piers
explains. “It’s a catalyst for how people will communicate with
us from that point going forward.” It’s his intention to use the
feedback as much as possible, but any suggestions will need to
work spatially and fit into the overall business plan.
This is, after all, a commercial venture. There is no subsidy
or grant to help fund the £30m redevelopment of the arts centre
or its future running costs. It’s being funded by the Far East
Consortium’s development of the site and The Time + Space
Co.’s investment. Piers, who has lived with his family in Crouch
End for 10 years, acknowledges locals’ concerns about issues
ranging from the likes of public access to pricing.
One fear was that current occupants would be turfed out of
the building and it would close, although Piers maintains that
was never the plan. In fact, they will be opening a new cafe on
the ground floor in December, one of four eventual restaurants
on site, selling both cocktails and coffee. Just down another
corridor, a co-working space is ready for new occupants and
about 50% of the desks had already been pre-sold to local freelancers,
entrepreneurs and creatives.
Piers is hoping to draw a “creative cluster” to the arts centre,
like-minded individuals who might be inspired by each other.
Other plans include hosting corporate events, weddings and bar
mitzvahs and offering full-service catering. Meanwhile, it’s hoped
that the performance and events programme will be a mix of the
traditional and cutting edge – such as 3D holographic imagery.
Belinda Chorley, the owner of bespoke wedding-wear shop
Beyond Bridal, has worked from the Hornsey Town Hall for two
years. She’s optimistic about the plans: “Time + Space have instilled
confidence in me that they will manage the building and
do everything they can for the creative community.” Chorley,
who lives in Crouch End, is pragmatic about what needs doing.
“I understand that it’s a business venture and to overhaul the
building to the Grade II listed standard requires huge financial
investment, but it will be truly amazing when it is complete.”
Chorley’s only concern is that she and other creatives who
currently work from HTH will be able to afford a working space
when the arts centre is fully renovated in about two years’ time.
But Piers is clear on this point: “Our pricing model is being developed
so that it will be affordable for local businesses. We
want to support and nourish the existing creative cluster here
so freelancers and SME’s can thrive under one roof.” He wants
to encourage people to have a voice in the arts centre’s future.
“We are very passionate about this building, the project and its
potential. It’s a journey we are going on and it’s about welcoming
everyone to come on board and get involved.”•
To find out more about Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre check their website:
www.hthartscentre.com
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