DT got a look around new multi-use creative hub and event space Down Lane Studios based in an old car mechanics depot on Ashley Road, N17. With redevelopment plans for the entire road in Tottenham Hale, it’s predicted that they have around 18 months to run their creative hub including a nightclub (named The Cause), studio and workspaces. They are also neighbouring with gardening and cafe scheme Grow Tottenham.
We spoke to Stuart Glen, one of the co-founders for the new space.
Stuart explained that they’ve teamed up with a few different operators to ensure there is something for everyone in the community. They plan to have affordable desk and workspaces and aim to support independent businesses and start ups. ‘We hope to create an environment where people can meet others with different skills and hopefully form new relationships.’
They are working with photographers, a radio station, a tattooist, a barbers, designers, food operators (they plan to have a pizza stall), fitness events and nightclub. An independent cafe will fund a gardening project on the site run by Grow Tottenham, who previously had a similar project in Elephant and Castle. The nightclub and event space, The Cause, will host everything from fitness classes, a dog’s disco and comedy nights, and will see later events at the nightclub with appearances and guest sets from well known DJs.
They plan to operate a membership scheme where 40% of the profits will be donated to Mind in Haringey and Calm (Campaign Against Living Miserably) dedicated to preventing male suicide). They will also be raising awareness of Help Musicians helpline Music Minds Matter, a 24 hour helpline for musicians experiencing mental health issues.
The whole space is being independently built by hand, led by one of the other co-founders Eugene Wild. They will be installing a purpose built sound system by Core, a company based in Hackney. They have plans to work with an independent rum company and run cocktail lessons. The event space will be open to everyone and they intend to offer special rates to the local community.
Two music videos have also been filmed on site. One for D Double E – Nang ft. Skepta and another for an upcoming RnB artist Glor1a.
The Down Lane Studios team consists of Stuart Glen, Rhys Rose and Eugene Wild. Paul McGann is running the Grow Tottenham project. Stuart also wanted to say thank you to Shirra Smilansky who runs an exponential marketing company and has been very supportive of the project.
They aim to support independent business, London nightlife, dance culture and mental health and hope to represent the local underground music scene in a responsible way.
The Cause, part of Down Lane Studios, will be holding a launch event on 13 April.
Discovering Tottenham 