The Past:
In July of 2024, Luna Lounge closed its doors.

Since the death of original owner Suja Luna Khaled in 2021, the venue fell into financial turmoil and managerial disrepair. An already struggling industry - live music - didn't ease up and become any more manageable to work around. The pressures of such caused the new management to slowly fall apart from the inside.

A month before the venue closed, the then-owner disappeared from public view, and left an entire staff team unpaid for in excess of 8 weeks. In the case of one member of staff, debts of upwards of £1500 in unpaid wages went unsettled.

ACAS tribunal efforts were made in light of this situation, and were mostly unsuccessful.

Visits from Waltham Forest bailiffs almost resulted in the blanket removal of all of the venue's technical assets and instruments. 

The staff at Luna around this time were comprised of hard-working, committed individuals who cared deeply about the future of the club. The team included a range of people, of all ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. Some of whom had been involved with the club since before the passing of its original owner, Suja.

The Present:
Now that the venue is closed, the Borough of Waltham Forest council seek to repair damages on the inside, presumably ranging from electrical to plumbing, and beyond.

The venue itself is OWNED by the Council, as it is part of the library.

Once these tasks are completed, the venue will become available to lease. The Council have made remarks in correspondence with former members of the Luna team to do what is in their power to "retain the premises as a music venue." 

Naturally, due to the incredibly good real-estate that Luna rests on (Church Lane, Leytonstone - right beside the tube station and right before the High Road) the venue is going to be of interest to many corporate entities, chain-stores, and even Luna's once-competitors in the area.

The Future:
It is the belief of many in the Leytonstone community that the venue should be kept as the 7-day-per-week music and entertainment club that it has been for 19 years.

In this petition, we (the former staff) are asking that the venue be leased to us. Now that the previous management have been removed from the picture, we are of the very strong conviction that we have the tools to restore Luna back to its former glory.

Importantly, it would be the desire of our team for the new owner of the venue to be Kaine Hamilton-Mills, who is better known as Biggz.

Biggz and his family have been closely involved with Luna since before the death of Suja Khaled. Biggz was originally hired as a bar staff member, after an interaction with Suja, wherein Suja immediately recognised simply in Biggz' demeanour that he was an artist. That presumption was correct.

Biggz is a rapper, singer, producer, and member of Metronome Steel-Pan Orchestra, having taken part in several Notting Hill Carnival "Panorama" competitions, alongside his family.

Another cherished member of Leytonstone's musical community is Biggz' mother, Nadine. Nadine was actually a new recruit behind the Luna bar in the last few months before it's untimely closure. Prior to that, she had been a regular customer and friendly face. Welcoming and tolerant of everyone, Nadine has been a staple in the Luna community for years. Seeking her involvement in the new iteration of the venue would be an utmost priority for us.

An open-invitation to our previous staff would be offered and discussed, seeking to make up for the financial damages caused to them by the previous owner. Naturally, this depends on how quick we would be able to get the proverbial ball rolling, should we be afforded this tenancy.

What we are asking of you:

Your signature. Nothing more, nothing less. Please consider signing this petition, and sharing it with your friends, colleagues, and anyone local to Leytonstone who has at one time or another benefitted from the Luna Lounge being there. If you know anyone who recently moved to the area and sadly never got the chance to attend one of our shows, maybe see if they'd be interested in signing.

Luna has always been a place that attracted, catered to, and was built by unique characters and artists.

Suja Luna Khaled was an unsung hero of local music and culture. His dream was to have venues all over the world, and for underprivileged people to have access to art and music and creativity. Luna Lounge was one of his proudest accomplishments in his life, and certainly his life's work. His memory, his legacy, and his dream need to be kept alive.

We believe with complete sincerity that we are the people that can achieve that.

Thank you for reading. 
The Luna Team.