Former abandoned Carlsberg-Tetley brewery in Newham granted alcohol licence after being turned into design studios

The Silver Building in West Ham

An abandoned brewery famous for housing squatters and illegal raves can now host legitimate events after being transformed into studio space for designers and artists.

Newham Council granted Nick Hartwright, co-founder of The Mill Co. Project, a licence to serve alcohol until 10.30pm every night in the Silver Building – the former Carlsberg-Tetley Brewing Company site in West Ham

The 50,000 sq ft brutalist concrete structure was abandoned for decades before being turned into affordable workspace, after Mr Hartwright secured financial backing from the GLA’s London Regeneration Fund.

Glastonbury festival set fabricators Block9 and fashion designer Craig Green have already secured space there and the Royal Docks site is expected to officially open in the summer.

The Silver Building was abandoned for two decades

“It is an amazing building and there is not much around there at the moment,” said Mr Hartwright.

“I understand there were concerns we would be running something like the nightclub nearby, but this will be the polar opposite.

“We will not be putting on late night raves. We will be focusing on culture and the arts.”

Mr Hartwright's company had originally applied to serve drinks until midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends.

Fashion designer Craig Green has secured space in the building

But these plans were opposed by the Metropolitan Police who cited concerns the nights would “degenerate into rave-type events”.

The objections were withdrawn when the serving times were scaled back.

Tuesday’s licensing committee did agree that drinks could be served until 2am in the building up to 20 nights of the year, providing authorities are given at least one week’s notice.

Joel Davies, the Silver Building’s event manager, said: “We will be having events for things like the London Festival of Architecture and a bit of live music, but certainly no raves."

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