Old Hackney Central Library - visit

Old Hackney Central Library / Rising Tide

Booking for Hackney Society members from 6^th October 2026; for guests/non-members from 13^th October.

Join us for a guided tour of the original Hackney Central Library on Mare Street.

Designed by architect Henry Crouch, the building at 270–276 Mare Street opened in 1908 following the Public Libraries Act of 1903. The project was funded by a £12,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The library closed in the 1990s, with a new Hackney Central Library opening across Mare Street in Town Hall Square in 1999. In 2000, the original building was refurbished and reopened as the Ocean music venue, with Rising Tide delivering music education programmes on site. The Ocean closed in 2004 following financial difficulties, and the building was subsequently redeveloped and reopened alongside the adjoining Hackney Picturehouse around 2011. It is locally listed by Hackney Council.

Rising Tide has occupied part of the original library building since 2001. A Hackney-based arts charity, Rising Tide supports local young people to access careers in music and the wider creative industries, providing professional recording studios, podcast facilities, rehearsal space and creative workspaces, alongside free workshops, mentoring and industry masterclasses.

The tour will explore the history and development of the building and conclude with a conversation with Jermain Jackman, CEO of Rising Tide, about the organisation’s work and his vision for the building’s future.

Meet at the Valette Street entrance for Rising Tide (round the back of 270 Mare Street) London E8 1HE at 12:15 for a 12:30 start. The event will end at about 2pm.

Book places using this page. There is a charge of £5 for members, and £10 for guests, plus booking fees, for this event. If you would like to join Hackney Society you can do so here.

Booking opens for Hackney Society members on 6th October and for guests/non-members at 12:00 on 13th October.

There are some steps involved in access. A lift alternative may be available, please contact events@hackneysociety.org with any enquiries.

picture: Ya Ya Chen