On the 9th of November, 2018 Save Earl's Court campaigners went live on Twitter for the first time from a secret location in Earl's Court. In these videos, through the window, you can observe a guerilla projection "Mayor Khan, listen to us."  
Our campaign has been supported by gamers, trekkies, film and comic fans and we thank them.

Guerilla projectionists have targeted Mayor Khan with a series of messages and demands shone on to the Earls Court Masterplan where the iconic Earls Court Exhibition Centre once stood.
 
Using evocative images and phrases, they called on Sadiq Khan to listen to the community and to intervene in the future of the faltering joint venture between Transport for London and Capital & Counties Properties Plc (Capco).  Capco have recently disclosed that they are in talks with the Hong Kong billionaire owner of CK Asset Holdings about a deal to sell on the Earls Court Masterplan with no community input as to its future.
 
“Bring back the beating heart of Earl’s Court for a green and transparent future” was the main refrain - demanding that “the world’s greenest venue” and “homes for all” be built on the site of the former iconic exhibition centre.
 
They also demanded action on air quality: “This is a wasteland, pollution is killing us”, provision of green space for children and redress for the broken promises of the non-existent Earl’s Court “Olympic Legacy.”
 
In what the activists called an alternative “Sound and Light Show” in a swipe at the loss of the global music venue -  with only the noise of traffic, rain and tube trains to accompany them - S.O.S messages along with black and white film clips featuring Earl’s Court’s past as a double Olympic venue flickered through the pouring rain.
 
The Guerilla projectionists did not use green light in order to avoid any chance of confusing the train drivers who drive across the site on the District Line and Overground services. 
 
We want a future here that can be enjoyed by the Earl’s Court and wider community regardless of income.
 
We call on Mayor Khan to intervene in the Earls Court Masterplan so homes and employment can be generated on this complex site, at its centre a replacement mixed use green Exhibition/Multi-purpose Centre to help promote London in a post-Brexit world.
 
Mayor Khan must listen. He has an opportunity to ditch the current Earl’s Court Masterplan and create a green and sustainable future for all of us.

With rumours of a revised Earls Court Masterplan being submitted in Spring 2019 by developer Capital and Counties Properties Plc (Capco), with no community input,  on the 28th of August 2018, Deputy Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Kim Taylor-Smith, met with representatives from the Earl’s Court Area Action Group, Save Earl’s Court Campaigners and Save Earl’s Court Supporters Club to discuss their plans for the world's greenest venue and a range of green housing options on the site of the former Earl's Court Exhibition Centre.

Artist Duggie Fields and a member of the RMT Union’s National Executive Committee also attended.  The CEO of the Association of Event Organisers could not attend but sent a message expressing his members’ interest in exploring the opportunities that a new venue would offer.

After 5 years of campaigning, Kim Taylor-Smith’s visit to Earl’s Court was the first ever meeting between campaigners and a senior member of the Council.  This is a testament to the Save Earl’s Court campaign’s staying power and increasing awareness that short, medium and long-term solutions have to be found for this site.
Listening to some of the imaginative and socially inclusive ideas put forward by the group, Kim Taylor-Smith said that ‘meanwhile’ uses for the site should be explored.
​
ECAAG calls on Mayor Khan to intervene in the Earl’s Court West Kensington Opportunity Area so homes and employment can be generated on this complex site, at its centre a replacement mixed use green Exhibition/Multi-purpose Centre to help promote London in a post-Brexit world.

Renowned artist Duggie Fields has lived in Earl's Court for over 40 years. He has been a passionate save Earl's Court campaigner since the Earls Court Masterplan was revealed. He fully supports the 38 Degrees petition below which calls for the world's greenest venue to be built to replace the iconic building, that there should be an international architecture competition to design it and that tendering and procurement processes should be open and transparent with materials sourced in an environmentally, socially just and sustainable way.

Please sign and share this petition:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/build-the-world-s-greenest-venue-on-the-site-of-the-earls-court-masterplan-london-1

Linda Wade, Chair of ECAAG and campaign supporter Desi were interviewed about the latest developments on the Earls Court Masterplan by London Live TV on the 26th of January, 2018.

A sea-change in political priorities within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) means the Earls Court Masterplan may be undeliverable in its current form.

Responding to recent press reports that the future of the 22-acre site in RBKC, as envisaged under the existing planning permission, is now in grave doubt, Cllr. Linda Wade (Liberal Democrat - Earl’s Court ward) who is Chair of ECAAG asked for an update on the present level of engagement between developer EC Properties Ltd and the Council.

Cllr. Kim Taylor-Smith, Conservative Deputy Leader of RBKC Council, Housing and Regeneration, replying during January’s full Council meeting, said that he had written to the developer’s Chief Executive, “seeking a meeting to consider the site's future".

Taylor-Smith explained that "On the 14th of June the facts on the ground changed in Kensington" and “Politically, I want to make it very clear that I do not believe the continuation of this development under the current terms is right. And I have also written to Cllr. Stephen Cowan [Labour Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council] expressing my concern over this development and I have offered my complete support [to him] to revisit these plans around the entire scheme and I have copied this letter to the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan.”

Cllr. Wade replied that crucial questions remain as to the viability of the site in today’s market.

With RBKC now aligning with Hammersmith and Fulham, jointly resolving to put social housing and genuinely affordable homes at the heart of the Earls Court Masterplan, this leaves the proposed luxury, super-prime redevelopment exposed and EC Properties Ltd’s ambitions vulnerable to change.

ECAAG campaigners see this political volte face as a great opportunity to right blatant wrongs, arguing for a wide range of housing options to be built on the site along with the world’s greenest, multi-purpose venue to ensure a prosperous future for the community and Londoners, rather than a fast buck for off-shore speculators.

Click here tOn Saturday, 28th of October 2017, ECAAG held its second alternative fringe event to the third Earl's Court Film Festival whose chief sponsor is Capital & Counties Properties Plc (Capco). 

In the publicity spin for their film festival, Capco hubristically claimed that  “As the owner and steward of two of London’s best addresses – Earl’s Court and Covent Garden – Capco recognises that creativity is a key ingredient to the development of a place’s culture and enduring local identity."

Our aim is to help bring people together and communities to life through a committed investment in creativity and the arts, and Capco’s support of the Earl’s Court Film Festival underlines this commitment in Earl’s Court.”

Capco’s “stewardship” and “ownership” of the Earl’s Court area will come as news to local residents who for decades have together made Earl’s Court a globally recognised area of London, a close-knit community that has no need of being appropriated and branded by a developer of luxury apartments that are beyond the reach of most Londoners.

Genuine creativity has no need of corporate sponsorship and Earl’s Court artistic and cultural communities do not need to take self-serving Capco’s handout of convenience to come “to life.”

To this end, ECAAG provided an alternative Capco-free free event. 

Long synonymous with the arts and the LGBTQIA community, the rebellious maverick spirit that first put Earl’s Court on the map, is still very much alive and kicking in Earl’s Court and refuses to be snuffed out by Capco’s cynical corporate Masterplan.

City of London guide Clive Bettington led a two hour walk on the literary, dramatic and film history of Earl's Court which included Patrick Hamilton, Dame Ellen Terry, Hattie Jacques, Michael Morpurgo, First World War poets and more!

We were delighted to have artist and Earl’s Court resident Duggie Fields join us on our walk.

We then adjourned to The Pembroke pub in Old Brompton Road for spooky readings inspired by the walk, original poetry and a short campaign film.
o edit.

​The launch of the Earls Court: Rescue, Recovery, Renaissance Campaign Report by Save Earl’s Court campaigners and the Save Earl’s Court Supporters Club was hosted at City Hall by Caroline Russell, Green Party Assembly Member and Chair of the London Assembly Economy Committee on the 26th June.

Earl’s Court business owners, trade union representatives, artist Duggie Fields, representative from the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates and campaigners were joined by Sian Berry AM (Green Party), Nicky Gavron AM (Labour) and David Kurten AM (UKIP) to discuss the findings of the report and consider next steps. Caroline Pidgeon AM (Lib Dem) sent her apologies and her colleague, Mark Morris, attended on her behalf.  

Sian Berry AM said, “A venue as green as Glastonbury in the heart of London would go some way to help bring this blighted area back to life.”

​Caroline Russell AM, reflecting on the launch, said, “This year would have been the 80th birthday of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, and it was wonderful to meet the campaigners who want to see a world-class green venue on the site. London is experiencing blandification through regeneration schemes that sweep away established businesses and damage those that remain. Established businesses and communities should be at the heart of any regeneration scheme. The work by the Earl’s Court campaigners has been phenomenal – as attested by their report and alternative plan showing the importance of exhibition space to the London economy.”​

Campaigners were delighted to have positive feedback as well as guidance and offers of further support from the London Assembly Members present for their alternative Earls Court Masterplan.
ere to edit.

​Messages of solidarity & support for ECAAG’s fringe film night were received and read out on the night.

Sian Berry and Caroline Russell – Green Party London Assembly Members
It is such a shame that both Caroline and I could not be there with you this evening to join in on the Fringe Film Night activities.

This event is once again an example of the residents of Earl’s Court working together to support the community, showcase your creativity (also evident in the People’s Plan) and make a stand against the developers.

I hope I can continue supporting you and attend lots of future events leading to success in preserving and growing your community without demolition. 

My very best wishes and keep up the good work!

Nicky Gavron, London Assembly Labour Spokesperson on Planning
I am delighted to be supporting the Earl’s Court Area Action Group Fringe Film Night. I am really sorry I cannot be with you for what will be a very enjoyable evening.  Along with many of you, I have done everything I can to expose the deplorable destruction of this very vibrant part of London.

It beggars believe that 3 going concerns, the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, the Lillie Bridge Depot and the West Kensington and Gibbs Green  estates can be demolished and a whole eco system of local businesses wiped out with them.

I fervently hope that a fair deal can be renegotiated for the residents of the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates.

And I will work with other Assembly Members to scrutinise all plans that come forward in Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Caroline Pidgeon, London Assembly Member for the Liberal Democrats
“I would like to thank everyone for attending this evening’s Earl's Court Fringe Film night.  Your presence demonstrates the strength of feeling about the way in which Capco has gone about developing the area - squeezing out local shopkeepers, hiking rents and demolishing its history – with no regard for the needs or concerns of local residents.

I want to pay tribute to the role of the Earl’s Court Area Action Group; their tireless and determined work has made sure that London’s most controversial redevelopment has not been forgotten by politicians.

It’s time the Mayor now followed through on his election pledge to review the scheme and sent a clear message to Capco that when it comes to regenerating Earl’s Court, people’s interest will now be put before profit!

Now more than ever, London needs family-sized affordable homes, not luxury flats sitting empty and unused. Earl’s Court in particular also needs the infrastructure required to meet the needs of London’s growing population.

It’s time to say ‘no to demolition and yes to community control!’  

The RMT Union’s Piccadilly & District West Branch
The Piccadilly & District West branch of the RMT are proud to have stood with the Earl’s Court Area Action Group and thankful for your help in fighting Capco and saving our members jobs while trying to save your own houses and your friends and neighbours houses and flats too.

The way you fought to save the Exhibition Centre against all the odds, was a proper David versus Goliath fight. Your determination and drive has been awesome - an inspiration to us all.

We hope your night goes well.
In solidarity, Gwyn (Secretary) and Carlos (Chair).

Andy Slaughter MP (Labour, Hammersmith)
I am sorry not to make the film night as I think it is a great idea, both to draw attention to the continuing battle of Earl’s Court and West Kensington and to have a fun evening. 

We always knew that the battle against the power of Capco and their political allies would be long 
and hard, but the creative and good-humoured way residents and supporters have responded is a credit to them all. 

It shows exactly why the community spirit as well as the bricks and mortar are worth fighting for.  ​

Corporate greed and faceless development with built-in redundancy is the modern blight of London  -  but the Earl’s Court Area Action Group’s message that we, the people who live here, should define our city, can and will be heard.