What is to be done with cavernous ex-retail spaces, in a post-consumerist era? Make them cathedrals of dance music, says Drumsheds

From the opening party at Drumsheds, picture from MixMag, photo by @KHALIPHOTOGRAPHY and Luke Dyson

We’re always on the watch for shifts in uses of public space - it often indicates deeper trends in economy and society, or even just communities moving forwards with confidence into their future.

In particular, we’re wondering what will happen to the vast caves of retail buildings, both in the high street and out-of-town, built for consumerism’s peak point. Could they become a monument to something else other than stuff-buying, a platform for new convivialities?

We saw this BBC story as an exemplar of the kinds of shifts we’re talking about: an old IKEA warehouse in Tottenham, London, closed in 2022, has been turned into a 15,000 capacity superclub called Drumsheds

Its familiar aisles and showrooms have been replaced by panoramic screens, high-quality sound systems and immersive light displays in three rooms that can accommodate all types of dance music.

For this particular event, the venue has been decked out by Spanish electronic dance company Elrow for Halloween.

The main 9,000-capacity room - which used to be the superstore's flat pack warehouse - is decorated with pumpkins, ghouls and every other spooky stereotype.

At Drumsheds’ Halloween Party

…Rach, who is in the drop-off area trying to order a cab, says on first impressions "it definitely brought back some memories of visiting Ikea".

"I loved that each room had a completely different feel," she adds. "It could take a little while to get into each of the rooms because of the layout but crowds moved quickly.

"The sound system was super clear, especially in the smaller rooms and the bars were easily accessible from each room."

Visiting a new clubbing space doesn't happen often in this current climate. UK nightlife has been in decline for 15 years and this week, for the first time since records began 30 years ago, the number of venues serving alcohol dropped below 100,000.

Like with most venues in their opening weeks, there are teething problems. But Drumsheds doesn't feel too big to succeed - having space to move on the dancefloor is welcome in a post-pandemic world where we're all a little less comfortable with being crammed in to tight spaces.

Drumsheds only has temporary planning permission and could make way for housing or office space in the next few years.

…Simeon Aldred, co-founder of Broadwick [whose Printworks venue in the area recently closed] told the BBC earlier this year that night-time spaces were under huge threat in urban areas, with his company facing "massive challenges".

"One of the things post-pandemic is that people have been living in silence, local communities have become very quiet places," he said.

"So around licensing and planning, there's challenges and inconsistencies - you've got some councils that are really pro-culture and some that are less so."

The venue welcomed DJs such as Solardo, Claptone and Mistajam for its Halloween event.

After the pandemic, there's also a concern that business rates could increase significantly in 2024 if inflation fails to fall. That, coupled with an end to government relief scheme, could mean more closures across the hospitality industry.

Aldred said Broadwick's operating costs across its 26 UK venues "have gone up by millions" and that trying to keep a hospitality company going amid the numerous challenges "has been really, really difficult".

The creation of Drumsheds was facilitated by Amy Lamé, who has been night czar to the mayor of London since 2016. She tells the BBC it is already "proving a real boost to our city".

"Our world-renowned nightlife is integral to our economic and social recovery and Drumsheds is a great example of how we can repurpose spaces to bring people together," she says.

"I am proud to have supported the venue and will continue to do all I can to champion and support the industry as we build a better London for all."

Whether or not Drumsheds gets the chance to establish itself as a night time destination, for now it provides a haven for those who want to spend their weekends on the dancefloor rather than shopping in a Swedish superstore.

More here. And here’s Drumsheds’ main website.