Save the Hammersmith Palais de Danse

To:  Parkway Properties; Hammersmith & Fulham Council; Greg Hands (MP for H&F - con); The Rt Hon Tessa Jowell (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)

On the 22nd of January, 2007; the Hammersmith Palais de Danse, Shepherd’s Bush Road, London, was condemned to be demolished.

Hammersmith and Fulham council approved proposals by US developers Parkway Properties to knock the venue down, and in its place build a restaurant and office block.

On the 22nd of January, 2007; the UK music scene was condemned to loose one of it’s oldest, most-renowned music venues, as well as a mountain of standing history and a truly remarkable building.

Inspiring The Clash's legendary song (White man) in Hammersmith Palais, the venue has a rich 90-year history. It played a huge role in bringing Jazz to the UK in the 20's and 30's, and continues to this day to be a significant cultural landmark.
Although "plain" from the exterior, the Palais' grand interior continues to amaze, and it’s supposed "imminent" demolition has infuriated music-lovers everywhere.

In an interview with BBC 6 music, Hammersmith and Fulham councillor Lucy Ivimy (sometimes miswritten as Ibimy) said:

"We recognise the contribution the Palais has made to the west London music scene, but the golden days of the club are long gone."

Are they?

We don't think so.

For the past 4 years the Palais has paid host to the popular NME Shockwaves Awards, and NME News editor Paul Stokes said the Palais' demolition would be a huge loss.

"There's just something about gigs at the Palais. You had the crowd right the way round, not just hanging off the balconies. It just seems a shame."

He also stated that the venue's golden age was far from over, and cited recent gigs by west London band Hard-Fiand US rockers My Chemical Romance as proof top bands were still playing the venue.

This demolition of the Hammersmith Plalais also comes in light of the possible condemnation of other important London music venues – Brixton Academy, the London Astoria, the Hammersmith Apollo and Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

The demolition of the Hammersmith Palais is yet another capitalist-driven venture, blatantly disregarding culture for personal gain.

We will not allow this to happen.

(This petition coincides with 'The Palais Rally' (T.P.R), a scheduled public demonstration against the demolition. To find out more go to www.myspace.com/thepalaisrally.)

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save the Hammersmith Palais de Danse Petition to Parkway Properties; Hammersmith & Fulham Council; Greg Hands (MP for H&F - con); The Rt Hon Tessa Jowell (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) was created by and written by Jessica Carrington-Attaway, Alice Sutherland-Hawes (j.carrington-attaway@hotmail.co.uk).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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