Statement: The Garage music venue and Highbury & Islington station

In response to recent media reports on the future of The Garage music venue and the entrance to Highbury & Islington station, Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said:

“The Garage is an important part of Islington’s vibrant live music scene and its loss would leave a big hole in the cultural landscape. As a council we have strong policies in place to protect valuable and endangered live music venues just like this.

“To be clear, we have not been approached recently by Transport for London to discuss any proposals to redevelop the site, and they haven’t submitted any formal plans to us.

“If plans do materialise in the future that include reinstating a second station entrance on the opposite side of Holloway Road, we would assess them against our planning policies, which include ensuring The Garage is protected.”