Press release: A Pair of Ballet Shoes - a Powerful Partnership

On Tuesday 24 June 2025, the iconic Rambert Studios on London’s South Bank hosted a joyful tradition that symbolises more than just a tenancy agreement. 

Each year, the contemporary dance company Rambert pays a symbolic “peppercorn” rent to Coin Street Community Builders; in the form of a pair of dance shoes from one of the season’s performances.

This annual Rent Ceremony is more than a gesture. It celebrates a longstanding and deeply rooted partnership between Rambert and Coin Street, one built on shared values of creativity, community, and inclusion.

The ballet shoes represent Rambert’s continued recognition of the unique home they have at Rambert Studios, made possible by Coin Street’s mission to make the South Bank a thriving place to live, work, and create. Rambert’s purpose-built building includes state-of-the-art studios at the heart of London’s cultural quarter. This year’s chosen shoes belonged to dancer Hannah Hernandez, worn during the premiere of Bring Your Own by Rambert x (LA) HORDE at the Southbank Centre in May.

But the relationship goes far beyond bricks and mortar.

As part of this partnership, Rambert delivers a comprehensive and vibrant community dance programme for local people of all ages and abilities—enriching lives and championing the joy of movement and performance.

Programmes include creative dance classes for Coin Street Nursery preschoolers, and a Caribbean Fusion dance class for over-50s delivered at the Colombo Centre. Rambert also provides Coin Street residents with free tickets to London performances, complimentary memberships to Rambert Plus (an online library of 300+ on-demand classes in over 20 styles), and in-studio wellness opportunities.

In 2024 alone, 172 Coin Street residents attended over 2,000 classes at Rambert Studios, with a further 60 sessions delivered at the Colombo Centre. Two local schools took part in 55 workshops, and one school was hosted at Rambert’s studios where pupils participated in a creative workshop and observed Rambert's professional dancers in rehearsal.

David Hopkins, Director of Community at Coin Street, said:
“The Rent Ceremony is a reminder that partnerships built on shared values can deliver extraordinary things. Rambert brings world-class dance to our neighbourhood, not just on stage, but in schools, community centres, and studios. This is what regeneration with purpose looks like.”

Helen Searl, Deputy Chief Executive at Rambert, said:
“This tradition means a lot to us. It’s a symbolic moment that highlights the creativity, generosity and trust that exists between Rambert and Coin Street. Through this collaboration, we’ve been able to expand access to dance and to nurture expression and belonging across the South Bank.”

The 2025 ceremony brought together dancers, community members, and Coin Street staff to celebrate a partnership that puts community impact centre stage.

To find out more about Rambert’s community programme and Coin Street’s work in the neighbourhood, visit:
rambert.org.uk/participation/coin-street
coinstreet.org/community/health-and-wellbeing/rambert-dance

Notes to Editors

Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB)
CSCB is a social enterprise working in Waterloo and North Southwark. It owns, manages, and maintains the riverside walkway between the National Theatre and Sea Containers, Bernie Spain Gardens, Oxo Tower Wharf, Gabriel’s Wharf, and the Coin Street neighbourhood centre. CSCB is also the freehold owner of the Iroko, Mulberry, Palm and Redwood housing developments, leased to primary housing co-operatives managed by residents. coinstreet.org

Rambert
Rambert believes that brilliant and daring people can inspire change. As one of the world’s most diverse companies of dancers, Rambert creates dance that is adventurous, dynamic, and relevant performed on global stages and in local communities. Rambert also runs dance and wellness classes for all ages and abilities, with Helen Shute as Chief Executive and Benoit Swan Pouffer as Artistic Director. Rambert is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England. Learn more: rambert.org.uk

For online content, behind-the-scenes insights, and on-demand classes, visit Rambert Plus.