Nothing lasts forever
We had wanted to be the ones to tell you first…
We truly appreciate all of the interest in our current situation and the numerous heartfelt messages of support. However, it’s important that we first address a few inaccurate comments and assumptions that have appeared recently in the media.
As Southwark Council will attest, we are a well-run, considerate venue operator and we are not on the receiving end of any noise complaints from local residents. We are also not being forced out by the developers or the council - we are in fact engaged in constructive dialogue with both parties about any potential future.
This part is true though, Corsica Studios - as we currently know it - will close its doors at the end of March 2026.
It's no secret that operating a late-night venue such as ours has become increasingly difficult - especially in the midst of a huge new development – but for the last few years we’ve been working closely with Southwark Council, the Greater London Authority and the Music Venue Trust, as well as our team of consultants and the developers themselves, to try and secure a future for Corsica in the area. The challenge has been to see whether Corsica Studios could continue to operate in the same way and in the same spirit.
We now believe that we have arrived at the best outcome possible for the space. This will in time, be a refurbished, soundproofed venue with a solid, long-term lease and a range of legal measures that will give the venue protection from any potential noise complaints from surrounding neighbours. However, in order to achieve this, certain things about the building and its current format will have to change.
We understand that many of you may not be happy about this - and we too have been conflicted - but having run the space for so many years we believe that making these changes in order to preserve the venue in some form, and giving it the best possible chance of success in the future, is the right thing to do.
Without evolving, the venue faces an almost impossible task but we are now in a position where we can future-proof the premises to allow a music and arts focused cultural space to co-exist with the neighbours and remain in Elephant & Castle. We have pursued a principle that was important to us, and for you - our community - to ensure we leave a legacy. Given what we've been facing, for us, this is a significant achievement.
There is still much work to be done - and we’re still not sure what our next steps will be, though we shall definitely be taking a break. But for now, at least, we’ve decided to end on a high and go out in style.
From 31st December 2025 until 29th March 2026, we will be running a series of events to celebrate the last two and a half decades. The closing program will cover the full spectrum of our influences and inspirations, providing an opportunity to dance, reflect and honour the people, artists, parties and promoters who have helped shape Corsica Studios over the years.
When the doors finally close and we say goodbye, we will do so with the utmost gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far. We leave with our heads held high, a huge amount of pride in what we have all created together and countless amazing memories (at least the bits that we can actually remember).
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