Brixton’s legendary Cooltan Arts squatted co-op remembered in music video

To those who remember it, Cooltan Arts was the beating heart of Brixton’s underground scene in the 80s and 90s.

The collective first formed in June 1991, taking their name from the disused CoolTan Suntan Lotion factory they first squatted in Effra Road, Brixton.

After they were evicted in February 1992,  CoolTan Arts moved to offices above Brixton Cycles, before squatting the old Unemployment Benefit Office in Coldharbour Lane in Sept 92.

The building (known as locally as the ‘Old Dolehouse’) provided a huge space and opportunity for local people to get involved, and it soon became a strong and important community focus in Brixton.

A thriving café was set up with local jazz bands playing at night, and the buildings provided accommodation for campaign groups such as Reclaim The Streets, Freedom Network, Earth First!, the Green Party, Lambeth Green Party and London Friends and Families of Travellers.

Above you can view a video by The Cooltan Upstarts, a loose group of musicians who knew each other primarily from Cooltan Arts and the south London jazz scene.

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Remembering the legendary Brixton Cooltan Arts squat

More photos and features:

Brixton then and now: Cooltan Arts Squat to the gated Brixton Square
Graffiti and old posters celebrate 20th anniversary of Brixton’s legendary Cooltan squat
Cooltan history
Cooltan 2007
Photos of the building’s demolition in May/June 2007.
Cooltan: then & now

COOLTAN PHOTOS:
The original Cooltan at Effra Rd
Ecotrip party at Cooltan, 1994
Party room
Entrance to cooltan
Halloween night special
Eco-car
The bogs!
Moving house party
Cooltan 1995
Cooltan billboard
Cooltan 2003

COOLTAN FLYERS:
Cooltan flyers 1
Cooltan flyers 2
Cooltan flyers 3
Exploding Cinema

Historical feature

Brixton history: Halnaker Lodge at 372 Coldharbour Lane – From Georgian splendour to dole office to community squat to luxury flats