Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush plays on after its community rallied round

On a stretch of Uxbridge Road in Shepherd's Bush stands one of London's most handsome small music venues. Bush Hall has hosted dances, soup kitchens, bingo and snooker in its long life, and today it is firmly back where it belongs: putting on live music.

The hall was built in 1904 as a dance hall. During the Second World War it served as a soup kitchen, and in the late 1950s and early 1960s it was used as a bingo hall and rehearsal stage. In the 1980s and 1990s it became a snooker and social club.

The current chapter began in 2001, when owners Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson restored the building as a music hall. With room for 450 standing or up to around 300 seated, it has become a favourite for artists who want a beautiful room with an intimate feel. Black Country, New Road even recorded their 2022 album Live at Bush Hall there.

Like many grassroots venues, Bush Hall has faced tough times. In 2024 it needed to raise £42,000 through crowdfunding to keep its status as a music venue, and the local community responded. Musicians did too: Frank Carter joined Sex Pistols members Glen Matlock, Paul Cook and Steve Jones to perform Never Mind The Bollocks in full, with all proceeds going towards the venue's long term cultural output. The first two nights sold out so quickly that a third was added.

The venue also struck up new partnerships with Sugar and Rind and Fightback Lager, a beer that donates a portion of its profits to grassroots venues for each pint sold.

"We couldn't be happier that Bush Hall is able to continue its legacy as a much-loved venue for live music and events," said co owner and managing director Charlie Raworth. "This was only possible with the tremendous support of our community and our team."

Today the hall is available to local, national and international promoters in standing, seated, cabaret and in the round layouts, and it remains one of west London's best loved places to catch a band up close.

Bush Hall is at 310 Uxbridge Road, W12, close to Shepherd's Bush Market station. For listings and tickets, visit bushhallmusic.co.uk.