Twenty years ago, David Mossman, climber, adventurer and jazz fan, took on the lease of a derelict building in Stokey's Church Street and converted it into what became a major international jazz venue: the Vortex.

Three years ago, Richard Midda, tennis enthusiast and property investor, bought the building with the intention of converting the first floor jazz club into three luxury flats, for which he later made a planning application. However, his first move was to double Mossman's rent, thereby making the operation commercially nigh on impossible. Reluctantly (and perhaps prematurely) accepting defeat, Mossman resigned himself to closing the club when the lease ran out at the end of May this year.

Two years ago, fearing that the Vortex would be forced to close, a group of supporters created the Vortx Jazz Foundation with the aim of procuring a new venue. This was soon achieved in the shape of a new development, The Culture House in Dalston's Gillet Square (scheduled to be in operation early next year).

Whereas this offered an excellent solution, particularly to those who lived in Dalston, there were those, myself amongst them, who felt that not enough effort had been made to save the Church Street venue. In many respects, the Church Street we know and love had grown up around the Vortex: it was hip, bohemian and, what's more, the best jazz club in London (or even Britain). 

It couldn't be lost without a fight. In April of this year, one month before its scheduled closure, while downing wine in the Vortex, I asked Mossman what in his heart of hearts he really wanted. The answer was simple and emotional: 'I want to stay here, This is our home'.

The next day I put together a petition opposing Midda's planning application and calling for the Vortex to be saved. Within three weeks over two thousand five hundred signatures had been gathered. Having got wind of the petition. Midda quickly called a meeting with Mossman, myself and other interested parties for 4 May at which he made efforts to persuade us to abandon the campaign, suggesting that while still developing the flats on the first floor, the current A1 retail use of the ground floor could be changed to A3 (cafe/wine bar) and 'used as a jazz club'. However, when pressed, he was unwilling to make any real commitment. The meeting ended negatively, but with assurances from both sides that negotiations could continue.

Shortly afterwards, the petition was delivered to Hackney Planning Department. At the same time, Midda withdrew his former application, replacing it with one for first floor flats and ground floor A3 use which rather than a 'jazz club' could all too easily be a Starbucks.
When the lease ran out at the end of May, a 'final' sensational gig was played by the Vortex Foundation Big Band but, with Midda's approval, Mossman remained in occupation. At this stage, Midda was stating that he had no objection to Mossman continuing over the foreseeable future to organise gigs at the venue. Meanwhile, further requests were made of him to give assurances on his 'jazz club' proposal (if he wanted our support, the assurances were essential). None were forthcoming. 

Confused by conflicting information, Hackney Planning called a meeting on 27 July between Mossman, myself, Midda and his planning adviser. Once again, Midda failed to give any positive assurances concerning the 'new club', forcing