A venue which has hosted performances by Oasis, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake is launching a campaign to secure its future.
The Coronet at Elephant and Castle, which began life as a theatre in 1879 and where Charlie Chaplin is said to have trod the boards, is demanding assurances from landlords Delancey as to what will happen when its lease expires in November next year.
It fears the jobs of about 100 staff could be at risk if the site becomes part of the development of a shopping centre next door which Delancey also owns.
Richard Littman, the Coronet’s director, said a new performance space within a shopping centre would be a poor substitute. “We do everything from Brazilian nights to gay nights and big charity events. It would be a real shame to lose it,” he added.
A spokesman for Delancey said there were “no definitive plans for the Coronet, with whom dialogue continues”.
Southwark council cabinet member Mark Williams said it would work with the Coronet on their future plans.