NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Paxton Centre will be open as usual until we close our doors in March 2027. Scroll down for the full statement.

NEWS: The Paxton Centre to close in March 2027

A letter from Beth.

🗞️ Dear friends, artists, makers, neighbours and everyone who has made The Paxton Centre what it is,

After ten wonderful years, having been established in Aug 2016, The Paxton Centre will close its doors for the final time at the end of March 2027. Our lease is coming to an end, and rising rent and business costs mean the space is no longer sustainable as a self-supporting arts venue. I’ve looked at it from every angle, and I know it’s the right decision — but I won’t pretend it isn’t a sad one to write.

When I opened The Paxton Centre, I wanted a welcoming place where people could come together through art, craft and conversation. It became far more: a café, gallery, workshop space, meeting place and launchpad for local artists and makers and a warm, colourful refuge at the heart of the community.

It grew out of Handmade Palace, which began as a small stall of local crafts and art at Crystal Palace Food Market in Haynes Lane. That same belief in independent creativity has shaped everything since.

Thousands of people have come through our doors for coffee, conversation, exhibitions, creative workshops, pottery, live music, hot desking, friendship and more. Ideas, businesses and collaborations have grown around our tables. That’s what I’ll remember most: the people, and the sense of possibility that filled the space every day.

I owe an enormous thank you to all the many staff members who have made the Centre work day in, day out, and to the volunteers and artists who have given so much of their time to it. None of it could have happened without them.

We have six months left, and I don’t want to spend them quietly winding down. I’d like them to be our busiest, most joyful months.

So, if you’ve ever thought about running a workshop, putting on an event, hiring the space, exhibiting your work or trying something new, now is the moment. We’re open to ideas that bring people together.

To book the space, exhibit, or bring us an idea:
Email - thepaxtoncentre@gmail.com
Call - 0208 659 4701
Or just pop in — we’re open 7 days a week
Mon – Fri 9-5pm - Sat – Sun 10-5pm
thepaxtoncentre.co.uk

About the Paxton Centre

The Paxton Centre was set up as a community creative hub in Aug 2016 by Beth who continues to run the Centre full time and also teaches our Pottery workshops. This unique business was her 10 year vision in the making proving if you follow your dreams and aspirations they can come true. Here she combined her art and craft business ‘Handmade Palace’ and her pottery workshops.

‘If you build it they will come’ has been the experience as many creatives from all disciplines have collaborated over the years to be part of this vibrant exciting arts space. Our artist lead creative workshops offer the opportunity to learn a new skill and enjoy the benefits of creativity for well being. In our gallery we offer monthly exhibitions to London based artists and art groups. We host regular local musicians and world music gigs plus a monthly comedy night. During the week you can come and hotdesk in our busy co working space or enjoy locally sourced food and drinks from our licensed cafe 7 days a week. That’s not all the Centre is available for private venue hire for celebrations, parties or meetings.

The centre is named after the original 'Paxton Arms Hotel', a beautiful building which served as a pub for 160 years and now runs under our ethos of building friendships, skill sharing and promoting a local economy while celebrating all things local.

UPCOMING events