Popular Lambeth jazz club could reopen below seven-storey Travelodge

A South London jazz club shut since the pandemic could reopen below a new seven-storey Travelodge. Hideaway in Streatham closed its doors in March 2020 after struggling to foot a £750,000 bill for serious repairs needed to the venue.

But the club, which has been dubbed South London's answer to Soho's internationally famous jazz bar Ronnie Scott's, could now reopen in the basement of a new hotel planned on the site of its former home. Under plans approved by Lambeth Council on June 6, a 114-bed hotel will be built on land behind Streatham High Road occupied by the now closed club. 

Frances Strachan, boss of Hideaway, said the new venue was essential if the award-winning club was to reopen in Streatham. She told a council planning meeting on June 6: "The main reason for the non-viability of the club was the associated costs of the sheer size of the building. 

"Bearing this in mind I believe the unit proposed in this application providing for a smaller live music venue run from a modern spec building has a much better chance of success." 

CGI of planned new Streatham Travelodge from Russel\'s Footpath. CREDIT: Lambeth Council planning documents

Ms Strachan revealed that Hideaway, which opened in December 2009, had never made a profit after she had to take out a £1.25 million loan to refurbish the former snooker club as a music venue.

She said the club needed to open seven days a week in order to become viable but could only ever open on three days due to poor transport connections to Streatham.

Describing the impact of the pandemic as "crippling," Ms Strachan said: "It is important to note that the building is in a very poor condition. Surveys confirming asbestos on the ground floor, the roof and other areas. The roof is also in a poor state, [and] partially collapsed in 2017 following several days of heavy rainfall."

She added that the smaller venue proposed would also reduce the amount the club had to spend on maintenance. The basement space in the hotel would house approximately 123 people whereas Hideaway's ex-venue could cater for around 250. 

The former Hideaway jazz club needs serious repairs carrying out. CREDIT: Lambeth Council planning documents

Nicole Griffiths, the local Green councillor for the area, said she welcomed the principle of a hotel but feared the proposed building was too big. 

In a statement read out on her behalf at the meeting, Cllr Griffths, co-leader of Lambeth's Green group, said: "The idea of a hotel on this site is good for Streatham but a more sympathetically designed development that is low-rise, including community amenities and truly affordable homes alongside a small hotel would be preferential." 

A council planning committee made up of five Labour councillors and one Green councillor went on to approve the new hotel and basement venue.

Scott Ainslie, Green councillor for Streatham St Leonard's, said he was keen for the new venue to allow Hideaway to regain its former reputation for world-class jazz. Describing the venue as "very close" to his heart, Cllr Ainslie said: "Suddenly Streatham was on the map as being one of the best jazz clubs, beating Ronnie Scott's in certain awards.

"A compelling case has been made by the previous owner of the music venue… whilst I do know it impacts some residents I'm mindful to approve this," added Cllr Ainslie, co-leader of Lambeth's Green group.