FOI - Cultural datasets [Dec 2023]

Your request

Is it possible to get London Cultural Infrastructure Datasets for years before 2019, i.e 2012, 2017?

Our response 

Our data collection for most types of cultural spaces started in 2019. This response compiles reports and datasets for types of cultural spaces for which data collection took place before 2019. Audits of facilities or infrastructure are a snapshot in time and based on best available information. Please note that data before 2019 is not available in the same level of detail or in table format.

World Cities Culture reports

The World Cities Culture reports contain data on several types of cultural infrastructure for 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018. This work was carried out by BOP Consulting:

Links to relevant resources:

• World Cities Culture Report 2018 | London City Hall

• World Cities Culture Report 2015 | London City Hall

• World Cities Culture Report 2013 | London City Hall

• World Cities Culture Report 2012 | London City Hall

Artists’ workspaces

The Artists’ Workspace Study provides a snapshot of affordable studio provision for artists in London in 2014.

Link to relevant resources:

• Artists’ Workspace Study: artists_workspace_study_september2014_reva_web.pdf (london.gov.uk)

LGBTQ+ night-time venues

In 2017, the GLA reported the number of LGBTQ+ venues in operation in London for the first time. This was based on LGBTQ+ venues data published in University College London’s Urban Laboratory report ‘LGBTQ+ Cultural Infrastructure in London: Night Venues, 2006-present’ written by Dr Ben Campkin and Dr Laura Marshall. The report is available on the UCL Urban Laboratory website. Please note that the figure reported in the original UCL report is 53. This figure was subsequently corrected to 47 as further information about venues became available.

Following on from this, the GLA undertook desktop audits to update the data. Data updates were published in 2018 (data collected July 2017 to June 2018), 2019 (data collected in 2018 to 2019), and 2023 (data collected in 2022).

The attached documents provide the names of the venues identified in the 2017 and 2018 updates. The GLA does not hold the 2017 dataset compiled by UCL.

Grassroots music venues

Grassroots music venues were first mapped in 2016 showing 94 venues. The number remained stable in 2017 and 2018 and there was an increase to 100 venues in 2019. Prior to this, London lost 35% of its grassroots music venues between 2007 and 2015.

Links to relevant resources

• Rescue Plan for London's Grassroots Music Venues published by the Music Venues Taskforce in October 2015:
  London Grassroots Music Venues Rescue Plan | London City Hall

• Rescue Plan for London’s Grassroots Music Venues – Making progress published in 2017: rescue_plan_for_londons_grassroots_music_venues_-_progress_update_-_jan_2017.pdf

Pubs

The 2018 pubs data note was produced using information from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the inter-departmental business register (IDBR). The research showed that London had lost 27 per cent of its pubs since 2001. This amounted to 60 pubs closures in 2015-16 (1.6 per cent fall) and 85 pubs closures in 2016-17 (2.4 per cent fall) - more than one a week.

Links to relevant resources

• 2018 London Pubs Annual Data Note: Date (london.gov.uk)

• Pub closures in London by period and reason for closure, 2000-18: Pub Closures - London Datastore

• Data from the IDBR: Number of public houses, licenced clubs, restaurants and takeaways by Borough - London Datastore