Hoxton Hall gets Heritage Lottery Fund cash

Hoxton Hall's Music Hall Theatre. Photograph: Hoxton Hall

Historic Hoxton Hall was awarded £207,400 in Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) development support last month, which will enable the Hall to develop plans to apply for a full £2m grant at a later date.

The project aims to preserve and restore this Grade II listed Music Hall Theatre, built in 1863, and one of only four remaining in the UK. It will also ensure the Hall remains operational and accessible as a theatre and events space for the use of Londoners for at least another 148 years.

If eventually secured, the full £2m funding will also enable the Hall to widen its community engagement programme with archive research and activities led by local young people, looking into the history of Hoxton Hall and the surrounding area.

Hoxton Hall Group Director, Hayley White, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this news. The funding comes at a very important time in Hoxton Hall’s development and is the result of a lot of hard work by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

“We are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting Hoxton Hall’s commitment to exploring, preserving and sharing its heritage and stories.”

Sue Bowers, Head of HLF for London, said: “Hoxton Hall is both a heritage gem and a much-valued community building – the perfect space to bring together people of all ages and backgrounds and get them involved in a range of cultural activities.

“We are pleased to be giving initial support for the Hall’s innovative plans and look forward to seeing the project develop further over the coming months.”

Hoxton Hall, is an imposing Grade II listed building on Hoxton Street. It is in the 148th year of  its existence, and is one of the four remaining music halls in the UK.

Since 1863, the hall has had a strong artistic presence in the community. The ‘saloon-style’ theatre features a two-tier galleried auditorium and a multi-tiered stage which has largely escaped the ravages of remodelling.

For many years the hall was used as a Quaker meeting house and it was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.

Since that time it has been an important centre for Hackney residents’ leisure pursuits.

It now runs a youth arts and theatre programme, supporting and encouraging local young people and young arts companies to create ground-breaking work.

Throughout the year, it hosts an extensive and varied programme of theatre, music and arts. As one of East London’s longest running youth and community arts initiatives, Hoxton Hall looks set to continue as a staple of Shoreditch life.

Hoxton Hall
130 Hoxton Street N1 6SH
020 7684 0060