New report: London’s network of social clubs ready to tackle the city’s biggest challenges, from loneliness, to loss of community space, to heatwave relief

A new report from the Centre for Democratic Business and Centre for London argues that London’s social clubs have the potential to play a crucial role in responding to some of the capital’s urgent social and cultural challenges – if action is taken to secure their future.

The Future of London’s Social Clubs: An answer to the pressure on the capital's cultural and social spaces identifies more than 70 social clubs across London and explores their potential contribution as affordable, member-owned social infrastructure. 

The report highlights five urgent challenges where social clubs have great potential to play a pivotal role: rising loneliness and social isolation; the loss of affordable social and community spaces; financial pressures on grassroots culture and music venues; growing demand for warm and cool spaces during extreme weather; and a lack of entry-level employment and work experience opportunities for young Londoners. 

But clubs face their own challenges, including rising costs, difficulties accessing finance, reliance on volunteers and growing redevelopment pressures. The report outlines practical actions that the Mayor of London, London councils, funders and others could immediately take. It also recommends a London-wide grants and business advice programme for social clubs; better access to appropriate loans and mortgages; council procurement opportunities for clubs; work and volunteering pathways for young people; a London-wide social clubs network; and stronger, more consistently applied planning protections. 

Jonny Gordon-Farleigh, director of Centre for Democratic Business and of the 21st Century Social Clubs initiative said: “London has lost far too much vital social infrastructure. Securing the future of its social clubs would protect an important part of London’s cultural and social history while also unlocking huge potential to provide affordable places for people to meet, participate in cultural life and build stronger connections within their communities.”

Antonia Jennings, CEO of Centre for London said: “London needs to hold onto the physical spaces that build and sustain our communities. Every report on loneliness, every poll showing Londoners are less connected to their neighbours, and every conversation with community groups points to the same underlying need: affordable, welcoming spaces, rooted in neighbourhoods.

The good news is that these places already exist. Social clubs are a vital community asset, but one too often overlooked. By giving them the support they need to thrive, from stronger protections to better access to funding and advice, we can help secure spaces that bring people together, strengthen local communities and make London a better place to live.” 

A launch event to present the findings, followed by discussion with prominent speakers from across the social club and community sector, and networking over complimentary drinks, will be held at Walthamstow Trades Hall on Wednesday 21 October at 4pm. Tickets