Vinopolis
Wine-based venue and visitor attraction . Managing director Samantha Anderson explained the decision was made in the interest of shareholders, who saw a retail opportunity for the space as a superior commercial proposition.
"It’s hard, and it’s a really sad time, but I’m exceptionally proud to have worked here," said Anderson. "I’m looking forward to making 2015 the best year yet: we want to go out on an up and we’ll definitely make the most of it."
Vinopolis first opened its doors in 1999 and includes a shop and restaurant alongside its wine discovery experience. Brands that held events in the space included the , and .
Earl’s Court
Despite a that lasted almost four years, iconic exhibition centre Earl’s Court held its final event in December 2014. All bookings were moved to nearby Olympia London before demolition work began at the end of last year.
The venue’s owner Capco worked with the Hammersmith & Fulham council and the Mayor of London to , a decision made to redevelop the area with up to 8,000 residential flats. Despite the loss, the Earl’s Court Area Action group is still continuing its efforts on a wider scale, with a ‘peaceful protest’, named ‘Stop tearing the heart out of London’, planned for this Saturday (7 February).
London Astoria
Once a 1920s cinema, the London Astoria played host to a number of iconic music names such as Nirvana and The Rolling Stones before it was closed then demolished in 2009. Festival Republic owned the space from 2000 onwards, while nightclub G-A-Y also held tenancy at the venue.
The Astoria was completely demolished to make way for the government’s Crossrail project.
Old Vic Tunnels
The disused railway tunnels underneath Waterloo Station were open for events for three years until 2013. Brand experiences held there included Wahaca’s Day of the Dead festival and former-US president Bill Clinton selected the venue for his foundation’s fundraiser.
The Old Vic Theatre leased the tunnels from British Rail as a not-for-profit enterprise, however made the decision to close the space . A spokesperson said: "A space like the tunnels is a huge undertaking. It’s a complicated venue and a big commitment resource-wise. To keep the theatre programming fresh and new, we want to look at other projects we are working on."
Shoe brand Vans moved into the space in July last year to create its .
The Imagination Gallery
Imagination created a purpose-built event space in its West End offices back in 1996. However by 2012, the decision was made to for the creative agency’s clients and internal teams.
Guy Stevenson, account services director at Imagination, told Event at the time: "We have had the pleasure of hosting numerous prestigious events since the inception of The Imagination Gallery in 1996. The market place today is, however, very different. Our clients are increasingly telling us they would like a private facility to test ideas and innovations."
Madame Jojo’s
The legendary Soho club Madame Jojo’s has its license revoked by Westminster council following a ‘violent incident’ last year, however campaigners claim the move was part of a ploy to make way for property developers.
The club had been part of the West End scene since the 1950s and served up an eclectic mix of entertainment seven days a week alongside private hire spaces. Brands to have held events there include HMV, Channel 4, Agent Provocateur and the British Council.
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