The Apollo Project, Herne Hill, London

Every community needs a venue like this.

Sick of having an empty shop on the high street for two years the local community decided to do something about it and rented out the shop for a month and created a unique and brilliant space for artists and musicians to perform.

The old video rental counter has been put to use as a bar (staffed by volunteers) selling wine and bottles of Stella for £2. There’s free apple juice for the kids, and everyone seems to be munching on bags of chips from the chip shop on the road.

It’s relaxed, fun and just a great place to have on your high street. Go visit while it’s still open!

The Apollo Project is a community arts space occupying the former Apollo video rental shop on Norwood Road for the whole of June 2009. Three local residents got sick of seeing empty shops in the neighbourhood and worked tirelessly to get the project off the ground.

The shop is open from 10am-10pm seven days a week throughout June showing a variety of art including drawings, films and photographs, with the main music nights taking place on Thursdays and lots of other events happening throughout the week. Anyone is welcome to drop off work to show, sign up to perform or volunteer in the shop - just get in touch via their website or pop in.