The signing of a new lease will be fantastic news for the future of Village Underground and the character of Shoreditch, one the borough’s most vibrant and culturally rich destinations. This is a great example of a local authority working with and supporting a thriving and well-respected local independent venue. We are sending out a strong message about the value of our arts and music venues for the community and local economy and how as a Council, we will do everything we can to protect them.

We're thrilled to have agreed a secure future for Village Underground with a new 15 year lease from Hackney Council. It shows what a progressive local authority they are and that they truly understand and value the importance of culture and grassroots venues as vital to our city and communities.

It’s also very timely - there has been so much discussion and press over the plight of clubs and music venues - that this has been the first time in almost a decade that we've ended the year with the same number of grassroots venues as we started. The decline has stopped, the tide is turning and this is the beginning of good news and progress for London’s venues, clubs, and incredible nightlife.

Today’s announcement that the future of Village Underground has been secured for the next 15 years is a fantastic example of how venues and councils can work together. As London’s Night Czar and the new chair of the London Music Board, I’m deeply committed to protecting live music venues across the capital. Over the past few years we’ve lost too many of these amazing venues so it’s vital that we act now to protect the ones we have and to encourage new places to open. The progress report we’ve published today on the Rescue Plan for London’s Grassroots Music Venues shows that, for the first time since 2007, venue numbers have remained stable. This is fantastic news, and I would urge boroughs around the capital to take steps to protect venues in their communities.