Streatham’s once troubled White Lion pub was re-launched by the charity Music4Children on Wednesday as a joint pub and community centre.
The transformation of the White Lion and Streatham Stables Community Centre was completed at the opening event and was helped by donations from Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street and the Royal Albert Hall.
Oz Bayldon, Director for Music4Children, praised those who helped in constructing the new centre and the generosity of the donations.
“The most amazing thing about this whole project is the generosity demonstrated by people across the board, from local people to number 10 who gave us their old PA,” he said.
“It is a testament to the generosity of the human spirit that everything to do with this project, both in terms of time and equipment, has been donated for free.
“It is truly community action at its best.”
Among the monetary donations was the £78,000 given by the Mayor’s Outer London Fund and the £24,000 from Lambeth Borough Council.
The refurbishment, which was supported by Music4Children patron Elle Macpherson, sees the centre offering fully accredited classes from mixing tracks to mixing cakes.
The pub area now features bar stools fashioned from instruments, lampshades made from drum kits and a drinks cabinet created from hollowed-out acoustic guitars.
The next phase of the project, which is yet to be completed, will see video and editing studios set up in the basement of the pub where the barrels are usually stored.
