Native Land and the London Borough of Southwark are delighted to be working together with the GLA and Southwark LGBT Network to bring forward a programme to deliver the boroughs first permanent LGBTQ+ cultural space.
This unique partnership is intended to support and celebrate the borough’s diverse cultural sector, providing expert insight and high-quality spaces to help ensure Southwark and London’s LGBTQ+ communities can continue to thrive.
This website is intended for potential occupier to express interest, receive copies of the tender documents and communicate with the project team ahead of the evaluation period in Autumn 2023.
The Brief
In 2019, Native Land and the London Borough of Southwark agreed to identify an LGBTQ+ occupier for cultural space within the railway arches.
With historic LGBTQ+ uses onsite, the key deliverable set out by the agreement was to deliver space that would be of strategic value to the LGBTQ+ community, and deliver wider social value and community benefits through a sustainable and long-term business model.
The space has the potential for a range of uses, from performances to cultural gatherings, workshops and events.
Potential occupiers are invited to submit a detailed proposal setting out the vision, programme, relevant financial information and business plan by 13th October 2023.
Entries will be reviewed against agreed evaluation criteria and presented to a dedicated panel of experts who will conduct interviews with shortlisted entries, with a view to offering a contractual agreement. The space shall be offered for a 25 year lease period (10 years minimum) on commercial terms that reflect the objective to maximise the benefits to the LGBTQ+ community and the local community, whilst providing a sustainable business model. Rental return is one part of the evaluation but is not the sole determining factor.
The space will be prepared to shell and core ready for handover to the occupier for fit-out by the end of 2023.
