London’s Moth Club survives first battle
Moth Club in London’s Hackney has revealed that a planning application for a neighbouring building that threatened its existence has been refused.
Two separate planning proposals were made to Hackney Council. Both developments were multi-story blocks that would overlook Moth, with one planned block featuring balconies directly overlooking the club’s smoking area.
The club anticipated that having residential properties so close would lead to ‘conflicts, noise complaints, and a serious threat to the venue’s ability to operate’.
The first of the two planning proposals has been refused, with a decision still pending on the second.
Posting on Instagram, Moth Club said: “Thanks to everyone who signed, shared and stood with Moth Club, the planning application for the building directly next to us has been refused! This is a huge win. We couldn’t have done it without your support.
“That said, the fight is not over. There’s still another planning application in progress, which could still put Moth’s future at risk. We need to keep spreading the word and make sure our venue continues to be a home for live music, comedy and grassroots culture.
“Your support means everything.”
Moth Club opened in 1972 and is an independent venue. It has supported emerging artists including Idles, Caroline Polachek and Wunderhorse, as well as more established names like Jarvis Cocker and Lady Gaga.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), added: “This is incredibly welcome news and a defining moment for London’s nightlife. Moth Club is more than just a venue; it is a cultural institution, a platform for emerging talent, and a vital community hub. What we’ve seen is people power in action, a collective voice that simply could not be ignored.
“But while we celebrate today, we must be clear, this fight is far from over. Across the UK, venues continue to face mounting pressures from development, rising costs and shifting economic conditions. We cannot keep relying on last-minute campaigns to save spaces one by one.
“This must now be a turning point. We need stronger protections, better planning policies and real recognition of the value our sector brings. Because without nightlife, we risk losing the cultural heartbeat of our cities.”
A report by CGA by NIQ and the NTIA found that independent businesses in the late-night sector fell by 30.6% since the start of the pandemic, compared with a fall of 14.5% for larger hospitality groups.
In late 2024, London’s Paloma Café closed following repeated complaints from a neighbour. The Shoreditch-based bar’s owner, Nate Brown, said at the time: “Licensing and planning – which are two separate things, but they overlap – are massively outdated. They don’t really understand cocktail culture and bars.”
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