Still some hope for the Standard Music Venue?
There’s an unexpected glimmer of hope for both local bands and live music fans hit by the closure of the borough’s one remaining dedicated venue, The Standard, in December.
It was bought by TFC Supermarkets, a Turkish supermarket chain and the site was boarded up in Mid January.
The retention of The Standard was a key part of the recently unveiled Master-plan for the Blackhorse Lane area and as such Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins’ is hopefully aware of the venue’s importance to the community. In a note to his colleagues he had some surprising news regarding discussions with the venues new owners.
Cllr Chris Robbins on the “Royal Standard Pub” / Standard Music Venue:
“Many of you will know the Royal Standard Pub near Blackhorse Road Station in Walthamstow. This venue although not the prettiest in the borough, has long been a place used by local musicians.
A few months ago the pub and surrounding buildings was bought by a family run supermarket (TFC Supermarkets). Their initial plan was to knock the pub down. Being aware of its music history I contacted the new owners and asked them to meet with me with a view to alerting them to how important the Standard Pub is to us as a borough. I informed the new owners that we would expect the pub to be physically retained and that it should continue to be a venue providing local entertainment. I am pleased to tell you that there initial response was very positive and that we are now in discussions with this company with a view to restoring the building and its function“.
We’re not sure why the council waited until the venue was sold and closed before reaffirming its importance to this area, rather than communicating this to potential buyers during the year or two it was being openly touted for sale. It seems a hard puzzle to unravel that a supermarket chain would splash out well over a million pounds for a prime bit of real estate across the road from a tube and then after a chat with the council leader suddenly decide to reopen the very music venue forcibly closed by the sale. No doubt all will become clear over the next few months, let’s hope this surprising and very welcome turn of events is substance not spin.
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how could they even think of shutting this place down? its part of music history! and the live bands that play there bring joy to its regulars week in week out! i just dont get it.
With the opening of Tesco Express in Forest Road, the Turkish supermarket at the bottom of the High Street,and all the existing smaller food shops in the area, it is hard to see how a Turkish Supermarket could prosper on that site.
I wonder why this has all gone quiet, I walk past this building every day and it makes me angry and sad as I was a regular. The council are pathetic in their handling over this its been over 2 months since this article was posted and there are no updates.
Thanks Andrew, We’ve forwarded your query onto one of our local councillor’s to see if they have any news.
Sad to see The Standard join the long list of E17 former treasurers now sitting empty (Dogs, EMD etc).
Clearly nothing is happening here, I find this unacceptable why did the councillor stick his ten pence worth in if he didnt intend on doing something about it. He should have just shut up and not come out with the above as it is clearly false hope. I am sick of the sight of the blue boards up around the windows and the £4 to park signs.
Pull your finger out Councillor! Do something worth while instead of sanctioning housing for immigrants and wasting money on stupid ideas that have no relevance to decent folk of Waltham Forest.