Posted by Peckham space Tola is appealing for help after suffering a £30,000 break-in. As one of South London’s most-loved independent music spaces, Tola has built a reputation for its unique programming that seamlessly blends club culture with live performance. However, the venue now faces a critical challenge after thieves targeted the premises over the weekend, seizing essential equipment, cash, and causing significant structural damage.
In a formal statement, the team at the venue detailed the distressing discovery: “We arrived at TOLA on Friday 28th August to discover that the venue had been broken into. The people responsible had pretty much cleaned us out.”
The impact of the theft is extensive. The venue reported that their DJ equipment and parts of their sound system were stolen, alongside thousands of pounds’ worth of bar stock and their entire till system. Beyond the loss of assets, the perpetrators caused substantial damage to the building itself, compounding the financial burden on the independent business.
The team noted that this incident arrives at an already difficult time for the hospitality industry, citing the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing pressure of rising energy costs. Despite these hurdles, the venue remains determined to survive.
“We’ve managed to overcome everything that’s been thrown at us over the last few years, but this break-in could be the thing that finally pushes TOLA beyond what a small independent venue can withstand,” the statement continued. “We don’t want that to happen, so we’re asking our community for help. We’re raising money to get TOLA back on its feet, replace what was stolen and give the venue the breathing room it needs to keep going.”
Tola has launched a crowdfunder to assist with recovery efforts, and supporters can get involved right now.
Check out a video message from the team at Tola below.