Key Points
- A 50-year lease deal for artsdepot at Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, has been secured until 2075.
- Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman intervened to prevent the venue’s closure, writing to then Secretary of State Angela Rayner.
- The lease is a nominal ‘peppercorn’ rent agreement allowing artsdepot to fundraise for maintenance and expansion.
- Artsdepot is considered “the beating heart” of Barnet’s cultural scene by MP Sarah Sackman.
- The centre welcomes around 185,000 visitors annually for performances, classes, and community projects.
- Artsdepot celebrated its 21st anniversary in September after surviving financial challenges during the 2008 credit crunch.
- Barnet Council and its leader Cllr Barry Rawlings recognise the importance of artsdepot for local culture and community.
- The venue comprises two theatres, a gallery, education areas, and a research space for artists.
- Local community members and former participants express strong personal connections to the venue.
What is the significance of the new 50-year lease for artsdepot?
As reported by a journalist from The Guardian, a ‘lease completion’ agreement has been reached between Barnet Council and artsdepot, securing the future of the arts centre at Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, until the year 2075. This nominal ‘peppercorn’ rent deal grants artsdepot long-term stability and the opportunity to raise funds for essential maintenance and future expansions for the first time in two decades.
The lease ends uncertainty that was a concern for artsdepot’s creative director Monique Deletant. She told The Guardian,
“We have been in desperate need of improvements. Knowing we have long-term security means we can now seek investment.”
How did MP Sarah Sackman contribute to saving artsdepot?
According to Barnet & Finchley Times, Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman played a crucial role in safeguarding the venue. After being elected in 2024, one of her first actions was visiting artsdepot. She subsequently wrote to the then Secretary of State for Communities, Angela Rayner, demanding that the venue remain open.
In her statement to Barnet & Finchley Times, Sackman said,
“I demanded that we keep artsdepot’s doors open. Now the lease has been secured and artsdepot has been saved. It’s the beating heart of Barnet’s cultural scene.”
She emphasised the cultural and community value of artsdepot:
“Arts and culture are much more than a weekend activity. It’s what creates a cohesive community, enriching and educating people from all backgrounds and giving us the cultural ties when times are tough.”
What role does Barnet Council play in supporting artsdepot?
Barnet Council fully recognises artsdepot as a vital creative and cultural hub enriching the lives of residents. Cllr Barry Rawlings, the Council leader, told Barnet Today,
“The lease has been renewed and Artsdepot can continue inspiring artists and help people nurture their passion for the arts.”
The Council’s commitment ensures a secure and thriving venue for future generations of artists, visitors, and community members.
How important is artsdepot to the local cultural landscape?
Artsdepot draws approximately 185,000 visitors every year, hosting pantomimes, ballet, theatre productions, and various classes and outreach projects with local schools, reported The Evening Standard. It celebrated its 21st anniversary in September, marking over two decades of cultural contribution despite financial challenges.
The venue sustained difficulties after the 2008 global financial crisis, hitting a rough patch within four years of opening, but it bounced back by 2012, with 350 arts undergraduates studying there at that time. An exhibition chronicling artsdepot’s perseverance during the financial crisis is currently running until the end of April next year.
How do local residents view artsdepot’s impact?
Several community members shared their personal connections to artsdepot. Sophie Diner, a 37-year-old mother from East Finchley, told The London Gazette,
“It was exciting for families to watch and felt like it was the West End,”
referring to her daughter’s performance at the Barnet Dance festival last year involving 30 schools.
Nikki Horesh, aged 34 from Woodside Park, reminisced to Barnet Post about her teenage years attending artsdepot’s Impact Theatre Company. “I started when I was 14,” she recalled.
“I would head to Artsdepot after school — it’s great having a theatre in your own backyard.”
What facilities does artsdepot offer to the community and artists?
The artsdepot houses two theatres, a gallery, an education area, and a research space for artists, serving thousands of supporters and volunteers annually. Its multifaceted facilities enable a wide range of activities, from performances to creative education and artistic development.
