Artists in Liverpool city centre who were abruptly evicted from their workspace have secured a new home just a short distance from their previous location. The relocation follows the closure of Northern Lights, an artist-led warehouse space in the Baltic Triangle, which displaced dozens of working artists.
Eviction Details
The evictions occurred on the morning of April 22, when artists arrived at Northern Lights, located in Cains Brewery Village, to find security guards at a locked door and an eviction notice posted. The Liverpool ECHO reported the shock of those affected, who had only weeks to vacate after receiving notices from Dusanj Holding Limited (DHL).
One of the few remaining spaces at the time was The Royal Standard (TRS), the city's largest artist community. TRS had already planned to move due to its lease expiring at the end of June, but negotiations led to a leave date of May 31. However, TRS was later evicted with immediate effect, with the landlord seizing the property for unpaid rent. A video confirmed the locks had been changed.
Impact on Artists
A TRS trustee described the situation as dire, saying, "People are just feeling really lost about what to do. They're worried about their equipment and they're worried about gaining access. It's really, really dire." DHL declined to comment due to an ongoing legal matter.
New Home Found
TRS has now agreed to relocate to Elevator Studios (ES), a Grade II-listed building on the corner of Parliament Street and Jamaica Street, still within the Baltic Triangle. The deal was facilitated by CERT Property, which manages ES, after hearing about TRS's plight.
Ellis Michael, Commercial Asset Manager for Elevator Studios at CERT, said: "[Bringing in TRS] in alongside our other like-minded creators aligns perfectly with our mission to be a central hub for Liverpool’s creatives, while successfully preventing the fragmentation of this vital independent collective."
Future Plans
Founded in 2006, The Royal Standard is a registered charity and a cornerstone of the North West art scene, offering affordable studios, exhibitions, and professional development. A TRS spokesperson said: "Our relocation to Elevator Studios means we don't just survive the closure of Northern Lights, but we get to remain in the Baltic Triangle community. Our new space allows us to build a tailored environment for our artists, offering a mix of private working areas and shared facilities. We are excited for our new home and connect with the fantastic mix of musicians, artists and independent businesses here."
