What will happen to the Truman Brewery?
The future of London’s historic Truman Brewery will be decided by Tower Hamlets Council next week. But redevelopment plans are being fought by locals.
On 31 July, the council will assess proposals from the Truman Brewery owners the Zeloof family, however locals and neighbouring businesses across Spitalfields are anxious about the plans.
The Truman Brewery was once understood to be the largest in the world and was reportedly founded in 1666 and was greatly expanded throughout both the 18th and 19th centuries, before it closed in 1989 but the business was revived in 2010 and three years later moved to headquarters to Hackney Wick. In 2019, there were plans for the brewery to then relocate to a site in Walthamstow.
Back over in East London, the Zeloof family had bought the original brewery site and received public subsidy from the local council to turn it into work spaces.
Skip forwards to today and, now local rumours have suggested the next generation of the Zeloof family want to monetise the brewery building by turning it into a corporate plaza, like Broadgate, Norton Folgate and Bishop’s Square.
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The proposal has however been poorly met by local residents across Spitalfields who identified how London’s housing crisis as well as a surplus of office space in the capital already was showing the space could be put to better use.
According to reports, there are already more than 23,000 people on the Tower Hamlets housing list and a Community Masterplan that was commissioned by the council has already estimated that the former brewery site could supply 645 homes to help local people stay in the area.
In response to the suggestions, the Zeloofs have offered just six social housing units within their development plans for the brewery site. However, the 7,500 letters of objection to the family’s first Truman Brewery proposal was already a reflection of public opinion on the future of the brewery.
Local news has highlighted how The Truman Brewery is now at a watershed moment in its history, in which the decision over its future will have a knock on effect on its neighbouring residents and businesses.
If the Zeloof family get their gated corporate plaza proposal approved for the Truman Brewery site next week, locals have concerns it will be the start of the gentrification of London’s east end and force other small businesses to close.
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When we closed in 1989 demolition of the new parts was always on the cards. Back then the cost of properties in the area was quite low. Everything has changed in the intervening years so this proposal is no surprise. Given the ground conditions, underground passages, piling etc. plus, if I recall correctly, the large London water ring main that was being proposed at the time redevelopment will be fun. On the other hand there is a significant archeology opportunity. I will follow with interest.