This is not good news for London. The choice location of many an amazing evening, the Union Chapel is set to close at the end of January, bring an end to a much loved live music and events venue. More importantly, they want to hear your feedback in an attempt to keep the spirit alive. From the official press release, "We are really sorry to have to pass on this sad news which broke today and we hope that you will forward this on our behalf to people you know that have supported or attended the Union Chapel in the past but may not be on our mailing list. "It is with great regret that the directors of Union Chapel Project (UCP) announce that UCP will be closing at the end of January 2005. UCP will therefore no longer be accepting bookings thus ending over thirteen years as a popular, award-winning, contemporary, international music and arts venue". We've faced some serious blows over the last 12 months from the local residents association and the council which threatened our future. We responded positively and actively to these challenges and strategies were in place to trade out of the difficulties. However, a recent vote by the Church membership to ban the consumption of alcohol in main auditorium, with immediate effect, was carried by a small majority. We asked for time to establish alternative income streams to offset the financial repercussions of this ban and the consequent damage to the bar lead economy. An appeal against this decision was turned down by the Church. This has lead to a breakdown of trust and confidence between UCP and the Church and under company and charity law UCP has no alternative but to cease trading We are devastated by this situation.  The only way through would have been to have the secular life of the building put on an equal par alongside the religious. To renegotiate this position would have been a long process assuming there was the will to do it and it would have taken too long given the fragility of the financial situation following a very tough year for the venue. We have loved working here and the loss to London and the many communities, who view it as home for their performance, is tragic.  There will be a huge hole in what London has to offer marginalised people who have been working with the Project for many years and a very special programme of international music has also to find another home. The board hopes the homelessness project, will continue to function on the premises of Union Chapel under the banner of a new charity. The arts programme will continue to be funded but will operate outside of the Union Chapel from a new venue in early 2005. The Board hopes that the roof renovations will go ahead next year as planned.  It would be a tragedy if this architecturally important building were allowed to decay beyond repair, but there is a strong chance this may happen without UCP and the audiences who have given so generously already to the campaign to put a roof on this unique and multifaceted listed building, venue, arts project, homeless project and church." Discuss ...