Part 2: A New Home for Metal & Co - a call to action this weekend
/A group met online on Weds 10 Sept, as Peterborough Culture Forum (more info HERE), to respond to Peterborough City Council’s (PCC) decision to serve Metal, and the other tenants at Chauffeurs’ Cottage, an eviction notice (more info HERE) to vacate the premise by 1st November 2024 (recently extended by 4 weeks.)
Metal advised that they were in confidential discussions with the council but had not, as yet, been offered an alternative space to run their programmes, or accommodation for the other creative organisations based there. Nor has there been any support by PCC to find alternative accommodation. Further meetings are imminent and Metal are doing all they can to present evidence for a case for support and to generate advocacy across the city, and with funders, to create a more positive outcome.
Metal has been resident at Chauffeurs since 2011, as part of funding package agreed by PCC and Arts Council England, which has in turn levered multiples of further funding support and activity, the majority of it free of charge to audiences and participants. Metal, its partner organisations at Chauffeurs’ Cottage, and visiting producers and creatives, have brought £5.6m into the local economy, worked with nearly 25,000 young people and communities, and created festivals, events and exhibitions enjoyed by nearly 1.4 million people.
QUESTION So what can we all do?
ANSWER - Support Metal in building its case for support and for advocacy from many many voices.
And here are some very easy ways to do it. But what is vital is that everyone acts now. Conversations are ongoing. Meetings are imminent. Time is short.
YOUR CALLS TO ACTION:
1) WRITE TO THE MPS & COUNCIL OFFICERS:
Below are links which will generate emails which you can adapt, to send to the local MPs and address to PCC’s CEO. That’s 3 strong actions straight away.
2) WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES:
There is also an access to the same proforma email which you can also send your local councillors. Use the link below to find their contact list.
When writing to MPs, Council Officers & Elected Representatives, you may need to copy the proforma directly into your email.
3) SIGN THE PETITION (link below)
Ignore the CAPTCHA if it malfunctions - the petition still submits without it.
4) ASK 10 (+) MORE OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THE SAME
If you need motivation, or greater understanding of why this campaign is important, below is a summary of the reasons of having an arts hub run by Metal, like Chauffeurs, is vital. And what has been built, at Chauffeurs now, and might be lost. These are direct quote comments from the Peterborough Culture Forum meeting.
"It’s a safe space for creatives, community groups and vulnerable people in the city centre. Which I think is a huge achievement, to have a building in a city centre which is safe for those who may feel unsafe in other areas. The archway is the tangible threshold."
"The welcome and friendly faces, it's domestic and familiar, and the ability to use at different times of day or week. Open door - main door and internally minimal rules - but respect so feel can make the space your own for the time you're there. Elements of past projects provide inspiration, there's always something happening. The ability to make and offer a free cup of tea - you're not expected to pay for everything. It has a range of adaptable, versatile spaces - internally and externally. Nothing's too precious."
"Historical buildings like this hold energy and love. The juxtaposition of this with vibrant new emerging creativity is gorgeous. Its closeness to the beautiful history of the cathedral feeds the creative vibe of what goes on in the space. The walled garden and the gateway is ever a surprise for me that THIS is where the arts are held and valued. It was such heart warmer when I found it and moved here. It is easy to get to centrally and accessible. Love the blackboard wall. The artistic garden. The open door. The freedom of sharing info and leaflets."
"I still remember the very first open day. It felt like being in a 'real' city, a city that values culture. It was the first time I've ever walked into a space in Peterborough and felt like 'yes' the arts are finally being represented."
"Photography, drawing, painting, theatre, spoken word, writing... all in one place. And so many artists talking with one another. It was unheard of here and, if we lose it now, we may never see it again. There have been spaces which have emerged to support one discipline or another but never one space for all the arts. It's impossible to overstate the importance of that and how protected, valued, and numerous spaces like it are in every other major city in the UK."
"There's a loss like how I imagine a losing family home would feel, the rhythm of our growth is in the mortar. Laughter, tears and sweat. The nerves of performing. Crying at the back of a film."
"This is a public space, as well as a making space - means you can put something on there, from a meeting to an event. Because of its location, you can get people in and introduce them to the idea that they are creating."
"We can feed people, care for them, sit inside or outside, pop out and get what we need, connect to other organisations and events in the city centre."
"Accessible - toilets, parking, green space. There's a flow to the space, not just a corridor. Main space, break out spaces, quiet spaces, social spaces. Different types of seating and that variety of spaces, you can be in it but quiet. There's a kitchen, a shower it's great for long events and short. The library with comfy seats. Designated spaces so it's personalised to organisations, as well as spaces that can morph."
"Chauffeurs is a warm, quirky, fun, open space, welcoming and with different spaces to meet, be creative and take inspiration from. It is central and relatively easy to find in the city. The space has a personality which we will miss."
"It's an established place for people to gather and know exists … it’s disappointing when you go and no one is there, you have to walk through the gate and because of the garden (an award winning one at that) you immediately done feeling you’re on a busy street in Peterborough anymore. You feel safe. You feel like it’s another place and a very welcome place. Can we get this from just any building? I'm talking prose right now but l've become quite sentimental as this meeting has gone on!"
"To me, Chauffeurs' Cottage and the organisations housed there ARE the arts in Peterborough. In terms of visual arts, there's little else. It's a safe, accessible space for hosting arts events. A grassroots community who have grown together into a large network of creatives who support one another and share skills, ideas and knowledge, largely for the purpose of making Peterborough a better place."
"METAL et al's situation exactly where it is is vital to the energy of the City. This is as someone who lives very centrally too."
"Importance of Chauffeurs' Cottage. Its an 'industry building' hub as well as a 'culture nurturing' hub. Early career artists have to rely on the kindness of established places like Metal to find their way and build their practice. Without a main hub for that, we risk creatives leaving the city at a time when Peterborough was becoming an attractive place for those in the arts and culture sector."
"Working with the council, rather than having a private rented premises, suggests that the organisations within Chauffeur's are wanted but also have licence to work on for and behalf of the city. It shouldn't be seen or work as a private sector endeavour, it should be an arm of the council."
"A space for collaboration, and collectivism. Such a wealth of information and expertise in one space. As an artist, it allows organic growth of ideas and support. Everyone is there, not a walk away or an email away, right there. It's a safe space to try out ideas and receive feedback. Scaffolded growth, not prescribed routes for individuals."
“The venue matters hugely. It is a beautiful building, historical... Gives a sense that the arts and its development really matter to our City and its powers that be. It is a safe space. Not to be under-estimated for being a central, easily accessible neutral arts space. Opportunities for collaboration between arts and cultural services, but also art and culture with other community sector organisations. Great for mental wellbeing and creation of hope and inspiring community life.”
"Metal arriving in the city caused a significant cultural shift in Peterborough and has remained an overwhelmingly brilliant force for arts and culture."
"A place or hub for the city's artists and cultural organisations to centralise around and organise. The culture of the city is way more cohesive as a result."
"It is friendly place, which generates positive energy, possibilities, and hope."
"As a professional I moved here from Cambridge for what METAL offers and that it's central and in this beautiful building...suggested some cultural importance by the city council I have attended much at METAL, offered workshops snd been able to be hosted there as a developing independent self employed local professional I feel and know of others who feel there is no competition with children's services as this is not an appropriate place for vulnerable children and young people."
"We are already short on venues for activities, taking chauffeurs away is another flexible space withdrawn from the city."
"Central, easily accessible neutral arts space. Opportunities for collaboration between arts and cultural services, but also art and culture with other community sector organisations.”
“Great for mental wellbeing and creation of hope and inspiring community life."