London is a noted centre of culture, with it being the England’s capital and cosmopolitan population. However, it has been uncovered that culture in the capital is under threat. At the moment, London holds 857 galleries, 215 museums and 241 theatres and 320 live music venues. This is all to feed the 80% of tourists in the city that, when asked, classed the reason for their visit as culture and heritage. With a city that is known globally to offer both it is worrying that the reason for the majority of people visiting the city is coming under threat.
Over the past few years London has started to lose cultural venues. Between 2007 and 2015, 35% of the city’s grass roots music venues, popular for lesser known bands. The decline has seen 136 spaces reduce to 88.
The reasons for this decline are varied but can be summarized as tensions between old and new residents, with rises in rents and property due to the attractive nature of the city. Other problems are caused by certain groups are being margenalised, limiting the amount of different culture on offer. Also industrial areas being developed into housing is increasing the cost of such sites and making them unaffordable as workspaces.
The Mayor of London has set out to make promoting the culture within London one of his top priorities, but in a time when there is an increase in demand for houses prices for available space will continue to increase and rent on workspace will grow. This will surely be detrimental to the cultural opportunities in the city. Also with UK about to start the process of leaving the European Union and no set out plan for how tourists will be able to visit, whether they will require visas etc. this will sure lower the amount of opportunities to showcase London’s vast array of cultural projects.
