Kanteena team "exploring all options" as they hope to continue in Lancaster

Bosses at a popular music venue say they are in talks over staying in Lancaster amid controversial plans to demolish their home.

The team at Kanteena said on Thursday that they are "exploring all options regarding our future both with the landlords and other locations" in the city.

This came as the number of objections to plans to knock down the Brewery Lane premises reached 800.

Developers want to demolish Kanteena as part of £100m regeneration plans for the area, as part of the long-awaited Canal Quarter development.

Many supporters of the venue, including Lancaster MP Cat Smith, have rallied against the plans.

But a post on the Kanteena social media pages on Thursday said: "To underline what we said during our statement (on) 14th July 2025, we have had a very good relationship with our landlords.

"It was their idea for a ‘cultural’ organisation to utilise this site whilst a longer term plan was put together and they have been open and honest about their plans leading to a clear and open relationship.

"Currently we are exploring all options regarding our future both with the landlords and other locations with the hope that Kanteena will continue in Lancaster.

"We are grateful to each and everyone who has supported us from the beginning and hope to be able to rely on this same support going forward whichever direction we decide to move into."

A planning application has gone in to Lancaster City Council, from the site owners Lanmara Developments Ltd, for "relevant demolition of existing buildings and associated vegetation clearance" at the Canal Quarter Central Site on land to the east of Brewery Lane.

As well as Kanteena, the application asks for permission to demolish an old depot building formerly used by the former Mitchell's Brewery.

A further planning application went in to the council last month, to demolish buildings to the west of Brewery Lane.

Lancaster City Council, as local planning authority, has responsibility for deciding if demolition should go ahead.

The council will make a decision on whether to grant permission, in due course.

Councillor Sam Riches, a cabinet member on the city council who represents Bulk ward in Lancaster, also spoke out about the issue on Thursday.

Councillor Riches (below) contacted Beyond Radio to say she had been "saddened by the misinformation that has been circulating regarding the music venue...and the planning application to demolish the building it currently occupies".

"To be clear, the city council is fully committed to supporting the arts and culture in Lancaster District, despite the severe financial constraints we have to work with and the limitations on external funding," said Councillor Riches.

"This includes significant support for cultural sites in the Canal Quarter. For instance, we have supported the Musicians' Co-op by helping to direct more than £750,000 of public money to the redevelopment of this important facility.

"Kanteena is a private business and the land it occupies is also privately owned. There is no plan from the city council to redevelop this site, and the joint statement issued by Kanteena with developers Marco Living and Axis-RE on 14th July 2025 makes the situation clear.

"My Green group colleague Councillor Paul Stubbins has called in the application to demolish the building so that members of the public can attend the meeting of the city council's planning committee that will be asked to make a decision on the planning application.

"However, that decision will need to be made in line with relevant legislation and I’m not aware of any way that the current use of the building can be factored in.

"I appreciate that many local residents are worried about the loss of Kanteena but councillors’ powers are very limited in relation to planning applications.

"Can we all please recognise that lobbying councillors will not achieve what some are claiming. Even if the planning committee decides to reject the application to demolish that does not mean that the building would continue to be used as a cultural venue as Kanteena have already confirmed that their lease is expiring and they are exploring other options.

"As a Bulk ward councillor, I will continue to be in touch with Marco Living and Axis-RE about their intentions for the parts of the Canal Quarter that they now own, and I will aim to help the owners to achieve the best outcome for all local residents including provision for arts and culture."

Kanteena has been open on the site since 2019, and since then has hosted some of the biggest names in music. 

Acts appearing there between now and the end of 2025, include top Radio 2 presenter Trevor Nelson, 90s indie band Dodgy and iconic electronic group The Orb.

In July, the venue team released a statement announcing their imminent closure, which said:

"When we began building Kanteena at Brewery Lane six years ago, we always knew it was meant to be temporary.

"At the time, we expected to be here for no more than three years.

"As it stands, the notice we’ve been given is that this New Year's Eve (no sooner) will be our last night of Kanteena at Brewery Lane.

"Just to be clear. There is no drama. No one is ill. There are no financial issues and no secrets or scams.

"Our landlords have been brilliant throughout. Honouring every promise, including giving us plenty of time to wrap things up properly.

"We’ve had an amazing six years here, and we’re not slowing down now. Not a chance!

"We’re still booking acts right through to the end of the year and organising an epic farewell party for New Year’s Eve.

"We want the best for Lancaster. What a place! The great people we’ve met on this journey, and we’re determined to give you all a good time until we close.

"As for what comes next—plans are 'brewing', but nothing’s set in stone just yet. We'd love to stay, but when your time’s up, your time’s up."

In June, developers announced they had bought the derelict brewery site in Lancaster city centre aiming to transform it as part of the long-awaited Canal Quarter.

Marco Living and Axis-RE said they wanted to deliver a £100m "vibrant, commercial-led mixed-use" scheme on the land, and said they had acquired Lanmara Developments Ltd, owners of the site.

They later said they wanted to "take essential safety measures at the Brewery Lane land, beginning with the removal of structurally dangerous buildings".

They said this was "part of our commitment to delivering transformational regeneration for Lancaster city centre".

A joint statement from Kanteena, Marco Living and Axis-RE on Tuesday, said there were no plans for the building to be replaced by a car park - contrary to claims by numerous people on social media.

The Kanteena demolition plans and public comments can be viewed at the lancaster.gov.uk planning section, reference number 25/00913/FUL.

At time of going to press, there had been 808 objections sent to Lancaster City Council, and six comments in support of demolition.

There is much more on this story and the background here.

Read more: Venue boss 'humbled' by level of support as developers and MP have say on demolition plans - Beyond Radio

Music fans rally against plans to demolish popular Lancaster venue - Beyond Radio

'Final Chapter' for groundbreaking Lancaster music venue - Beyond Radio

Demolition work announced for £100m brewery site revamp in Lancaster - Beyond Radio

Developers plan £100m revamp of old brewery site in Lancaster - Beyond Radio

Lancaster Canal Quarter revamp is officially backed by council - Beyond Radio