Artists have been warned that they will be evicted from their studios set up at Hampstead’s semi-derelict police station.
The Koppel Project, an arts charity supporting early and mid-career artists by offering affordable studio spaces, has been operating at the Grade II listed building for the past two years until the landlord settled on plans for its future.
The Rosslyn Hill station itself closed in 2013, after two failed bids to turn it into a school, and now could be developed into homes and offices.
An application submitted to Camden Council on March 25 proposes five residential units with a commercial floorspace as well as space for private healthcare use and storey extensions - although this has not been approved yet.
During this time artists were told by Koppel that studio spaces offered would be temporary, and was subject to when the landlord requested the land back.
Over the years, more than 400 artists were offered support with studio space, exhibitions and residency opportunities.
But now the landlord has informed Koppel that artists will have to leave by June 16.
Saba Khan, who signed up with Koppel on April 1 this year, was originally struggling to find a new place to continue her work since the announcement when she first spoke to the Ham&High.
However she later confirmed that the charity has offered her a new studio in Camden.
When she originally signed up, she was told that the space was temporary - between one month to a year.
“This was my first studio,” she said. “It was there for two years, so it was sort of bound to happen in a way.”
The artist from North Finchley added: "If people hear I’m working from home, it really affects the way people look at me. If you have a studio people look at you more professionally.”
Saba thinks the site could have been kept as artist studios, adding: “You don’t need the housing for more people – and I think residents kind of liked us being around, it added a bit of colour to the neighbourhood.”
Corrie Wingate : "We have all had to split up and go our separate ways, that was what was so nice about the community was that we all met through this police station and it's a shame we aren't all together anymore."
She said it has been "lovely" working at the station and with Koppel for this time and said it was valuable to the community - she wished that the charity was given a bit more time until the planning application was approved.
Another artist, Ashley Cluer, said she has been working at the police station for more than a year.
She said: “I’m very grateful for the Koppel Project and I’ve had a fantastic time with them and I’m moving into another one of their buildings.
“It was my first studio and I think potentially unlike other people I was very aware the station was always temporary, so I had my eye out on new studios popping up.”
“I think it was a fantastic use of space that was unable to be used for anything else and I think it’s a shame the landlord no longer wants to keep it as studios.”
Fortunately, she was able to find another Koppel space in Chalk Farm before hearing the news, and said the charity was "very happy to help" with the move.
A Koppel spokesperson said: “It is quite sad news for us after residing in the former police station for over two years, during which we have supported more than 400 artists with studios, exhibitions, and residency opportunities.”
“We are grateful to the landlord for allowing us to use the building during this time. Unfortunately, the decision is beyond our control.
“This situation highlights the precarious nature of many UK arts charities like The Koppel Project, which operate in temporary spaces. This is not the first time we have faced such a challenge, and we are known as a nomadic organisation, moving from site to site.”
Koppel said that it is “proud of the work” and community built in Hampstead.
It continued: “All artists received over a month's notice to vacate the building. We are trying to be as accommodating as possible by offering flexibility with storage and moving out date options.
"As soon as notice was given, we offered artists the opportunity to relocate to two other buildings, one of which is in Nine Elms and set to open this summer.
“Additionally, we are setting up a new building in Camden Town, where we will prioritise all studios for our current artists from the Hampstead Police Station to retain our amazing community and continue our work together.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here