The Ironworks is Southend’s beloved arts and culture venue, situated at 90 The High Street. The concept has rapidly grown in popularity, becoming a hub of creativity and entertainment in the heart of Southend since opening in September 2022.
The venue boasts a diverse range of activities and performances, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy in a safe, fun, and relaxed atmosphere. From live music and comedy to jazz history, musical theatre productions, improv, belly dancing, art workshops, kids’ clubs, additional needs club nights, social gatherings, ‘Tiny Tots Time,’ and ‘Welcome Thursdays’ (a free lunch, hot drink, and social for the over 65s), The Ironworks offers a wide array of entertainment options.
The Ironworks Community Interest Company (Kiwi Community Events CIC) was established in 2021 as a response by Kiwi Productions to Southend Council’s call to activate an empty High Street shop space, emphasizing creative uses, community engagement, and the fight against social isolation, as well as emotional and physical well-being. In such a short time, The Ironworks has become an integral part of Southend’s cultural regeneration, with accomplishments including:
• Welcoming over 150,000 individuals since its doors opened.
• Providing space for over 50 charities, local service providers, and local government campaigns.
• Hosting 80 weekly additional needs clubs, welcoming over 1,000 visits from members.
• Offering free arts and crafts for children, with over 150 kids participating each week.
• Hosting numerous private and music events, involving over 1,000 musicians.
• Showcasing numerous artists and supporting local traders.
• Employing 20 individuals and engaging 10 regular weekly volunteers, many with additional needs.
Earlier this year, the community interest company (not for profit) announced it was set to close due to a lack of funding. Following the announcement, the response from the community was overwhelming – the news flooded Southend and it became the talk of the city.
Co-Founder Natalie said, ‘We were totally overwhelmed by all of the hundreds of messages of support for The Ironworks – we were actually flabbergasted! The next day, Ami and I agreed that we needed to give this one more fight!’
Community Support Saves The Ironworks
With donations from local businesses, including Atlantic Pacific, Unitruck, and Progressive Media, as well as personal donations from the public, the team was able to pay the rent and remain at the beloved venue on Southend High Street.
Natalie continues, “We still needed to become viable, and the next stroke of genius came from local entrepreneur Sonny Green – he came up with the idea of a membership club! We put this out on social media for feedback and it was received brilliantly, so we made it happen – this is what is ultimately going to sustain us.”
Launch of Ironworks Membership Club
Since the new Ironworks Membership Subscription launched, they have managed to welcome over 200 members of the community to ‘the Club,’ paying a monthly fee. There are various levels of membership, including £5, £10, and £30 per month (unlimited hot drinks!), all bringing in FREE event tickets, hot drinks, and little treats!
Ami Solomons (co-Founder of The Ironworks) says, ‘The Ironworks is a truly amazing place; we welcome people in to chat, socialise, take up new hobbies or simply enjoy some food and drink in a relaxed environment. The pace of life is so fast and often isolated nowadays, with people working from home, that we need to ensure venues remain open to allow people to be together. We can’t wait to welcome you all in again very soon.’
For more information on the membership packages and how to sign up, please pop in to the Ironworks or visit: ironworkssouthend.co.uk
by Natalie Solomons
info@kiwiproductions.co.uk
Phone: 07779990786