Catching up with the Camden Inspire winners — The Roundhouse
On December 6th 2018 at Camden Collective, we celebrated the best of Camden and Euston’s local independent businesses whose every day jobs are to offer a unique service, attract new customers and stand out from the crowd. It’s not easy, but what they do make our towns the special places they are. Running your own business in London means high rents and a hugely competitive market. But every day, these business owners continue to astound us with their commitment, innovation and fresh ideas. Putting it to the public vote, we asked you to show your appreciation. 70 businesses took part this year across 6 categories and we had an amazing 6,000 votes, which we only hope to double next year! Now it’s time to catch up with the winners…
It’s Independent Venue Week so we thought it seemed appropriate to showcase our Independent Venue winners in the 2018 Camden Inspire Awards…
World renowned and based in Camden Town, The Roundhouse came joint first place in our ‘Best Music Venue’ category alongside the Jazz Cafe, so we decided to chat to them to find out more about the story of the Roundhouse, what they like about being based in Camden, what sets them apart and how they felt when they won the award…
Firstly, could you provide a summary of what the Roundhouse has in store for 2019?
“2019 looks to be a big year for the Roundhouse. In terms of our artistic work, we’re kicking off the year with a brilliant dance show from Akram Khan and then we’re going into In the Round, our series of seated in-the-round gigs, which returns for ten-night run. We’ve also just announced that Inua Ellams’ acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles will come to the Roundhouse this summer.
In terms of our charitable work, each year we work with 6,000 young people, through our music, performing arts and broadcast projects and this year we’re looking to increase the number of young people we work with — gradually increasing this number to 10,000 a year by 2023. We’ve just launched the pilot of our creative co-working space for young people as we work towards the opening of the Centre for Creative and Digital Entrepreneurs over the coming years.”
What sets the Roundhouse apart?
“Firstly, we think it’s our round-ness that sets us apart! Although we’re a 3,000 capacity venue (when it’s a standing gig), because of our shape, it still always feels intimate. Because of this we also get a real mix of artists, from huge heritage acts, to up and coming bands who want to play an iconic space.
We also get a lot of positive comments about how helpful our visitor services team are, they are one of our best assets, they always go above and beyond to make sure our audiences have a great time.”
Could you tell us a brief history of the Roundhouse?
“The Roundhouse was originally built as a train repair shed back in 1846 but it became obsolete after a couple of decades because of technology advances with trains. At this point it became a gin and wine storage for 90 years before Sir Arnold Wesker was granted a lease to transform the space into an arts centre for all. The Roundhouse — then Centre 42 — opened in October 1966, the opening night was the launch of the International Times paper, with then little known band Pink Floyd as the support act. During the 60s and 70s the Roundhouse became known for its legendary live music and experimental theatre before closing in 1983 due to financial difficulties. It took local toymaker Sir Torquil Norman to buy the Roundhouse and rebuild it into the space it is today. He wanted it to still be a place for live music and performance but he also wanted it to support the young people in the local community. In 2006 the Roundhouse reopened following a huge refurbishment which included the addition of our creative centre for young people — 24 studio spaces underneath the main auditorium of the Roundhouse.”
How is the Roundhouse supporting young people in Camden and why is it such a vital asset to the community?
“We have our creative centre for young people aged 11–25, where young people can try their hand at creative projects — from music production to filmmaking to spoken word. They can also access studio space for rehearsals or to hire computers to work on their solo projects. Having different opportunities means young people of all abilities and backgrounds have the same access which is really important so that the creative industries are genuinely open to all. But we also do a lot of work specifically within the local community. We do a lot of work within schools in Camden, running music and circus taster sessions, doing careers talks in assemblies, and welcoming groups to the Roundhouse to show what is on offer on their doorstep. We also take our circus work out to local housing estates in the area for young people to try which has developed in to some brilliant performances by young people for others living on their estate. It’s a great way to bring the local community together and a brilliant new skill for young people to learn.”
Why do you think you won ‘Best Music Venue’ in our Camden Inspire Awards and how did you feel when you won the award?
“We’re so grateful that we won the award for ‘Best Music Venue’ in Camden — it’s an area with so many brilliant venues so we had some stiff competition. We attended the awards ceremony when the winners were announced and it was a fantastic evening to be part of.”
Why is it so important to support independent music venues?
“There are so many stories in the news about the closure of small, grassroots venues, which is such a shame. They’re a breeding ground for new, emerging talent but also do so much to support their local community. Supporting venues by going to the gigs, buying your tickets directly from the venue if possible and even eating or drinking there too goes a long way to supporting the work we’re trying to do!”
Follow The Roundhouse:
Twitter: @RoundhouseLDN
Instagram: @roundhouseldn
