Vault Festival dealt 'devastating blow' as venue-host seeks new tenants

London’s Vault Festival has been left without a home for future events, after its host venue reportedly announced it was looking for more commercial enterprises to fill the space.

Run by not-for-profit charity Vault Creative Arts, the Vault Festival has been held in derelict tunnels in Waterloo since 2012.

The charity has revealed it has repeatedly sought a long-term commitment from the Vaults, which is looking at other, more commercial projects for 2024 and beyond, according to Vault Creative Arts.

Director and co-founder Andy George said it was a "devastating blow" to the festival and sector.

"The response to the return of Vault Festival in 2023 has been incredible. Over the past three years, as we’ve battled to survive through cancellations, postponements and a pandemic, it’s become extremely clear that the creative industry needs the Vault Festival to thrive, and the artists we champion need the Vault Festival to springboard their careers," he said.

George added: "This devastating blow comes after three of the harshest and hardest years of the festival’s life; but we’re determined to make sure this isn’t the end."

Vault Festival has asked for help while looking for a new site and has launched a #SaveVAULT fundraising campaign with the goal of raising £150,000 by the end of 2023’s festival on March 19.

"We can only survive if we receive support," George said.

Since the Vault Festival opened in 2012, more than 3,000 shows have taken place, with more than 400,000 audience members visiting the site.