We're all used to reading about the closure of small indie venues across London — but this story's about one that's actually reopening.
Matchstick Piehouse in Deptford — a pint-sized community gig venue and arts space — was forced to close its doors in November 2023; it was another familiar tale of covid rent arrears, and having to shut up shop in spite of an admirable fundraising campaign, which notched up £30k. Even sadder was the fact this was one of only a handful of such small venues in the city offering access for wheelchair users.
Now, there's better news: "We all thought this would be the end, but we are THRILLED to announce that, after a year of hard work behind the scenes, we have agreed heads of terms for a new lease with the landlords, which means that The Piehouse is coming back, and with your help we will be kicking open the doors early in 2025!".
Rebranded as simply The Piehouse, the venue is being resurrected by the Piehouse Co-op (a group of ex-Matchstick staff, resident artists, and staff from other local grassroots venues), and with help from the Music Venues Trust, plans to reopen in the very near future.
A little money, however is still required, namely £15k by February. "Now we're just fundraising for some furniture as the debt collectors took it all," says the Piehouse Co-op. In fact, the cash will go on more than just that — including staff time, professional consultancy to support co-operative development and business planning, venue equipment and initial rent. (If you're wondering what happened to the originally-raised £30k, all of that was refunded to donors.)
It's hard to overestimate the importance of indie venues like this one. "Piehouse was a home to many different scenes and upheld itself as an inclusive and safe space for anyone who came through," says Grace O'Malley, who worked there, "Spaces like this are so valuable for any individual to come and foster their creativity and strengthen their community!"
Another of the venue's former staff members/regulars, George, added: "If I had to sum up my experience in a single sentence, I'd say 'the Matchstick Piehouse saved my life'...
"Roll on Piehouse v2!"
