Our Story

Long Live Southbank was born in 2013 as a campaign to save the world’s longest continually skated street spot. After a record breaking campaign, by September 2014, we had saved the space and gained a legal guarantee for its long term future.

Our relationship with Southbank Centre improved greatly and we launched a proposal to restore legendary sections of the skate spot that hadn’t been used since 2004. After careful preparatory work and a successful fundraising campaign, in July 2019 we publicly opened 426m2. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Our vision is to provide more free creative space in the very heart of London, for all, forever.


Thank you to everyone who has donated, see a full thank you here

Timeline

1963

Work starts on London’s new arts and cultural complex along the South Bank of the river Thames, designed by members of the GLC and avant-garde architects Archigram

Work starts on London’s new arts and cultural complex along the South Bank of the river Thames, designed by members of the GLC and avant-garde architects Archigram

1967

London’s newest brutalist buildings open to the public. The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Rooms feature ground level walkways designed to encourage pedestrians to explore

London’s newest brutalist buildings open to the public. The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Rooms feature ground level walkways designed to encourage pedestrians to explore the numerous levels of the external spaces.

1976

Skateboarding spreads from Venice Beach to London. In 1973 skaters find the ‘Undercroft’ features perfect for skateboarding

Skateboarding spreads from Venice Beach to London. In 1973 skaters find the ‘Undercroft’ features perfect for skateboarding and the first photos of skating along the South Bank are published in 1976. Dubbed ‘Southbank’ by the resident skaters, the space is a ‘found space’ and ‘street spot’ rather than being designed as a skatepark.

1988

Southbank saw the legendary Powell team travel to the Undercroft as well as the local ‘Smell of Death’ jam, bringing the community together in a celebration of the space

The 1980s saw dramatic changes in British Skateboarding, with Southbank central to its development. By this point Southbank was established as the epicentre of UK skateboarding whilst simultaneously serving as a shelter for the homeless who resided in the famous Cardboard City. 1988 saw the legendary Powell team travel to the Undercroft as well as the ‘Smell of Death’ jam, bringing the community together in a celebration of the space.

1990

Many of the original features of Southbank are destroyed to deter skateboarding. Skateboarders show their creativity by seeing the new obstacles as skateable objects

Many of the original features of Southbank are destroyed to deter skateboarding. The much-loved ‘Bank to Wall’ is skate stopped with bollards, the ‘Little Banks’ are fenced off, a ‘Driveway’ has pebbles placed on it and paving slabs on the ‘flat ground’ have lines drilled into them. Skateboarders show their creativity by seeing the new obstacles as skateable objects.

2004

Large sections of the Undercroft spaces are closed off. ‘The Side Effects of Urethane’ exhibition takes place, with skateable sculptures and artwork installed

Large sections of the Undercroft spaces are closed off. The Southbank Centre give reassurance that the closure is temporary. ‘The Side Effects of Urethane’ exhibition takes place, with artworks placed on the temporary hoardings and skateable sculptures installed.

2005

A pedestrian barrier is installed, separating the users of the Undercroft from passers by and onlookers as the Queen’s Walk is refurbished

There are further reductions to the skate space. The Southbank Centre state more hoardings are necessary during the Royal Festival Hall refurbishment.

2011

LLSB is set up by the Undercroft Community following Southbank Centre’s announcement of its ‘Festival Wing’ plans, which propose the permanent closure of the Southbank Undercroft

A pedestrian barrier is installed, separating the users of the Undercroft from passers by and onlookers as the Queen’s Walk is refurbished.

2013

Following a record breaking campaign which saw immense public support for the Undercroft community, LLSB and Southbank Centre sign an agreement to keep the Undercroft as it is

Long Live Southbank is set up by the Undercroft Community following Southbank Centre’s announcement of its ‘Festival Wing’ plans, which propose the permanent closure of the Southbank Undercroft. The proposals would see it infilled with shops and restaurants.

2014

Long Live Southbank prepare and present a proposal to Southbank Centre for the restoration of the areas of the Undercroft closed off in 2004

Following a record breaking campaign which saw immense public support for the Undercroft community, Long Live Southbank and Southbank Centre sign an agreement which guarantees the long term future of the skate spot.

2015

Long Live Southbank prepare and present a proposal to Southbank Centre for the restoration of the areas of the Undercroft closed off in 2004

Long Live Southbank prepare and present a proposal to Southbank Centre for the restoration of the areas of the Undercroft closed off in 2004.

2016

With a vision to one day restore the entire Undercroft, LLSB and Southbank Centre form a partnership and joint project team to begin a new chapter in the Undercrofts history

With a vision to one day restore the entire Undercroft, Long Live Southbank and Southbank Centre form a partnership and joint project team to begin a new chapter in the Undercrofts history.

2017

Lambeth approve project planning permission and the fundraising campaign launches in June 2017. The skateboard community gives their full support.

Lambeth approve project planning permission and the fundraising campaign launches in June 2017. The skateboard community gives their full support and the team aim for completion of the project by Spring 2019.

2018

With a fundraising campaign in full swing, LLSB successfully secured the necessary funds to start work on the restored section of the Undercroft.

With a fundraising campaign in full swing, LLSB successfully secured the necessary funds to start work on the restored section of the Undercroft.

2019

By July 2019 the little banks and timber ledge were reinstated and a jam and boat part was held, bringing skaters from all over the world together to celebrate the Undercroft's past and future.

By July 2019 the little banks and timber ledge were reinstated and a jam and boat part was held, bringing skaters from all over the world together to celebrate the Undercroft's past and future.

The Plans

After a great deal of hard work by all, our technical designs were finalised and Lambeth gave planning consent for the restoration. Drawn by the pioneering Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the construction saw iconic parts of the Undercroft restored including the much loved little banks and timber ledges, legendary in skateboarding history but closed off for more than a decade.

Giving over 420m2 new space for skating, BMXing and Graffiti writing, the restoration has given a much needed increase in free creative space on the South Bank of the Thames.

The Legendary Wooden Ledge & Flatground
Based on Cad Artists impression // Click here to experience 360° view
The Small Banks
Based on Cad Artists impression // Click here to experience 360° view

Click here to read more about our collaboration with Southbank Centre

Long Live Southbank (LLSB) is a non profit enterprise, not a registered charity, although we are in the process of gaining CIC status. The company will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the project goes ahead as intended and that all donations go towards the intended purpose. The intended purpose is that part of the Southbank Undercroft is restored as far as possible to its original design, and a further section of this space is transformed into a Schools and Young People’s HQ. We are also committed to exploring the possibility of restoring the Undercroft in its entirety at a later date in the medium to long term, and this may be the subject of a separate fundraising campaign.

If more than the required total for the projects restoration and construction works is raised then LLSB reserves the right to use such surplus monies for reasonable related purposes, including to further the prospects of a complete restoration of the Undercroft. Any surplus funds could also be used to further community work not only in relation to skateboard campaigns but community causes in London or elsewhere more generally. If less than the required money is raised then Long Live Southbank will go to every length possible to ensure that the project can still be completed. Long Live Southbank cannot commit to refunding donors but will ensure that money is used in a reasonable manner towards community projects, particularly in relation to skateboard campaigns or causes. Any donations given to LLSB are assumed to be given on the above basis.

We will do our utmost to ensure that all donors are sent their rewards within a reasonable timeframe. All rewards are subject to availability, and may change at Long Live Southbank’s discretion. All talks claimed as rewards are offered at Long Live Southbank’s discretion and on the basis that they are within a reasonable distance from LLSB HQ in London. Long distance or international destinations will be discussed by LLSB and may require a separate arrangement.

Our company number is 08487222 and we are registered at 29-35 Lexington Street, W1F 0LB.

We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.

We keep your details when you sign up to receive emails from us, we keep a record of the emails we send you, and we may track whether you receive or open them (if your email software provides this information).

We use your personal information (name, contact details) for newsletter purposes and to complete orders. Your data is always held securely and access to information is strictly controlled.

We do not share your personal information with other organisations or third parties.

When you register for newsletters and mailouts you agree to receive receive news, marketing and fundraising communications from Long Live Southbank (LLSB) by email or post. You can manage your preferences at any time and we will include opt-out instructions in any marketing or fundraising communications you receive from us.