London Pleasure Gardens goes into administration

East London site closes its doors

Chris Swindells - 06 August 2012

The venue has been plagued with allegations of mismanagement and safety failings, highlighted with the closure of their second major event, Bloc Weekend. The event ended in chaotic scenes as police helped to manage a site shutdown in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Pleasure Gardens staff are currently owed wages, architects have not been paid and earlier this week the creative director resigned.

A statement on the London Pleasure Gardens website said: "It is with great sadness that London Pleasure Gardens Ltd has been placed into administration. We will issue more information within the next few days but would like to thank everyone who has supported us and our vision. The LPG team are working with the administrators to ensure the current situation is dealt with in the best possible way."

Built from an ex-industriaul Pontoon Dock, the site attractions were to include landscaped walkways, a wilderness meadow, RIBA-designed follies, street art by Shepard Fairey, RISK, Ron English and others graffiti legends, an oyster and champagne bar, and two permanent music/arts venues.

The site received the backing of London Mayor Boris Johnson and benefited from a £3 million loan from Newham Council to get things moving. It was located close to the ExCel Centre, not far from Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park.

Newham Council released this comment: “The decision by London Pleasure Gardens Limited to enter into voluntary administration is regrettable but understandable.

“It is disappointing that the anticipated visitor numbers and revenue from recent planned events have not materialised. London Pleasure Gardens won the right to operate the site for two years from the LDA and Newham Council as the winner of a Meanwhile London Competition.”

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