In recent months most of my creative energy has been spent being an advocate for the artistic community in New England House, Brighton, where I have had my studio for the last 12 years. It is a high rise Brutalist building, inhospitable in appearance, but a treasure chest of every imaginable creative enterprise.

There are over one hundred units, at least 40 of them with people working in the arts and applied arts. I represented them in my Deputation speech to our Landlords, Brighton and Hove Council, at the Council meeting on 20 March 2025, where they were to decide about the future of the building.

I called it a “swansong” because we knew that ultimately we would have to vacate the building because of fire risks and the intention to refurbish, but I wanted the Council and the world at large to understand who we are, how we had been affected by the uncertainties of the previous five months, what we provide to the city and what it will lose, by dispersing us.

Thinking of my own experience and talking with fellow tenants, I realised that the climate of uncertainty regarding our tenure as tenants had “stifled our creativity and curbed our ambition” as self employed artists where our studios are central to our lives.

I said that we are the “lifeblood” of the city and its economy. 

I’ve been told that it’s had some effect on how the Council will deal with us, but we must wait and see.

Listen to my speech under “Video” and on YouTube

Meanwhile, I have bee interviewed by the local television

See some of the coverage in our local papers

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25001595.around-100-
traders-forced-leave-new-england-house/
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25025193.brighton-
new-england-house-tenants-must-leave-building/