Unless you’ve had your head under a rock recently, you’ll know about the LONG LIVE SOUTHBANK campaign that saved London’s iconic skate spot from being turned into commercial spaces.
Long Live Southbank, perhaps better known by their acronym LLSB, is the official non-profit organisation set up to preserve and maintain London’s unique and world renowned Southbank Undercroft, representing its diverse creative community of skateboarders, BMXers, visual artists and everyone else who utilises this unique public space. Started by local skateboarders in 2013, the group now has upwards of 150,000 members from all walks of life, art forms and social backgrounds.
Last week, LLSB launched a new fundraising campaign to restore sections of the Undercroft, which were last skated back in 2004, before being covered up. In partnership with the Southbank Centre, they’ve successfully been granted planning permission – all that’s needed now is to raise £790,000 both for the restoration of the space and to build a new headquarters that can be used by schools and young people. With the end goal now in sight, this new drive should see them hit their target soon. A series of events, prizes and rewards have been arranged, making this a unique opportunity to be part of this special campaign: check the site for the full details.
As an extra part of this impressive campaign, a very special limited edition LLSB x ADIDAS SKATEBOARDING CAMPUS VULC II ADV has been released, which will be available to buy at the pop-up shop and Southbank photography exhibition at Hoxton Basement this weekend. With smart off-white uppers, spattered details and a very special custom shoebox (designed in the style of the concrete skate wedges at Southbank), this is going to become a highly sought-after piece of footwear.
For those who can’t make it down to the exhibition, some pairs will make their way onto the LLSB store very soon: keep checking the latest news at www.llsb.com for more details. In the meantime, check out the fundraising edit below and then get involved at www.llsbdonate.com.