Subway gallery founder fears eviction by TfL - Robert Gordon McHarg says Edgware Road site could lose lease

Published: 11 February 2011
by SARA SMYTH

THE founder of a subterranean art gallery has said he fears his exhibition space could be wiped out if Transport for London (TfL) fail to renew his lease.

Robert Gordon McHarg launched the Subway Gallery in a 1960s former shoe repair kiosk underneath Edgware Road in 2006 and has staged more than 50 experimental installations and exhibitions of modern art in the underground space.  

His new exhibition, Razzle Dazzle, opened this week – but he told the West End Extra it might be one of his gallery’s last as his lease expires later this year.

Mr McHarg said: “We’re currently trying to sign another lease. We’ve done our first five years and are trying to continue. 

“Church Street ward is one of the most deprived wards of Westminster and we’re trying to improve things. We fixed this place up, painted the subway ceiling and brought art to the public. However, this year is going to be a battle.”

He said the underpass – which he has nicknamed the “Joe Strummer Subway” in memory of the late Clash frontman who used to busk there – had been neglected by Westminster City Council and there were rumours TfL wanted to close it.

“There are talks going on in TfL to shut it down,” added Mr McHarg. “This is a remarkable space and it would be such a huge loss if it closed. Westminster Council, for the last 20 years, haven’t really loved this space, so what I’ve been trying to do is let everyone know that people still use it.”

An estimated 800 pedestrians a day use the subway to safely cross from one side of Edgware Road to the other. 

A TfL spokesperson said: “We are looking at making possible changes to the Edgware Road/Harrow Road area. We are working with Westminster Council and looking at all the available options. One of the options is to consider whether the subway would be closed off to the public, but all our plans are in their very early stages.”