Filmed by Francesca Cluney on her I phone

FULL TEXT OF SPEECH:

“The Council’s sudden closure of the building in November-initiated uncertainty regarding the continuation of our tenancies which continues to this day But the sense of insecurity started a month earlier at a meeting between council officers and tenants when the term “decanting” was first used: a dehumanising term implying emptying the building, and we were told that we wouldn’t be able to run our popular and successful annual Open Studios for the first time in 23 years. As a member of the Tenants Reference Group, I attended all meetings with Council Officers but the lack of definite information regarding the future of the building and our future as tenants continued and continues. The uncertainty created stress for Tenants and damaged the atmosphere IN our dynamic community. We are self employed practitioners and expanding businesses many with an international client base We have survived recession and lockdown continuing to pay our rent and service charges throughout – indeed; the annual rent received by the Council from NEH during its full occupancy was around £1.2 million ‘ but it took one email closing the building without notice to threaten our livelihood Much of our work is self generated and may take years to prepare. Many have found it impossible to work on projects, take up opportunities TO EXHIBIT or undertake commissions when we haven’t known whether we would continue to have studios in which to work. IT HAS STIFLED OUR CREATIVITY AND CURBED OUR AMBITION 3 THESE 5 MONTHS HAVE BEEN LOST MONTHS and some have already left. We make Brighton the attractive, inclusive, generous, individualistic, tolerant, creative, exciting city that we all want it to be, which draws people who want to make it their home and visitors from all over the world. The Council is looking to expand the visitor economy through a 10 year growth strategy WE ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THAT ECONOMY! DO NOT DISPERSE AND LOSE IT! For instance, “Draw” offers Affordable Drop in Life drawing classes starting in a shared studio space they expanded to larger units with 200 attendees a week, providing £156,000 a year employment to over a hundred freelance tutors and models who support their other work as artists, performers, musicians animating the life of the city – many of them with units in NEH.. Many of us are one person businesses, working alone in our studios but benefiting from contact and collaboration with the others who work in the building, relationships built up over decades: The Team organising the annual Open Studios which attract 900 visitors, over a 3 day weekend, some coming from abroad, and involve 45 – 60 exhibitors within the building Leaving the building will mean the loss of those human and creative connections. We need flexible spaces that can accommodate large equipment , the current options are dispersive : small isolated offices with work in storage, the kitchen table or living room, moving out of Brighton or ceasing altogether. IF the building is to be vacated WE WANT YOU TO COLLABORATE WITH US TO MAKE UP FOR those lost months and minimise the disruption any move will cause to our businesses Provide for us Artists and Makers suitable alternative work spaces in a single building that will allow our creative community to continue, prosper and benefit Brighton and the wider community. In future years as you work on the growth strategy for the Visitor Economy you are likely to spend time and resources trying to re-create the asset that you have now in New England House: the creative community that has grown and contributed so much to Brighton over the years. Please do your utmost NOW to keep it going.”