A former high street bank has become one of Sutton's most important cultural spaces, but its future now hangs in the balance.
Since opening in 2020, the Sound Lounge has brought live music, food and community projects to the town, run by partners Hannah White and Keiron Matthews.
From international acts to a pay-what-you-want kitchen, it has become more than just a gig venue.
But with their lease expiring in December and the council offering terms they say they cannot afford, the couple fear the venue could soon be forced to close.
Co-owner, Hannah White, said: "When we first talked about moving here, people said it was a terrible idea.
"People were used to commuting to their cultural fixes, but they don't have to do that now; we have live music in Sutton."
The worry is, though, that it may not be there for much longer if Sound Lounge is priced out by the new lease being offered by landlord Sutton Council.
In a former RBS bank at the bottom of Sutton High Street, Hannah and her partner Keiron Matthews have built the Sound Lounge into one of the town's cultural cornerstones.
With live music several nights a week, from bedroom bands making their debut to international acts playing intimate shows, it has become a space where Sutton feels plugged into something bigger.
"From September right through 'til May, we often have music seven nights a week, it's mental," Hannah told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) during a visit to the venue last week.
"Sometimes we soundcheck our bands when people are still here, there's always a vibe."
With its lease due to expire in December, Hannah says the new offer from the council to extend that is unaffordable for them.
For its part, the council has called Sound Lounge "an important live music and cultural venue" and one the authority wants to support to stay open.
Yet the Sound Lounge is more than just a gig venue.
Hannah said: "We have our pay-what-you-want community kitchen today," describing their weekly offering of free, plant-based meals made with seasonal produce from Sutton Community Farm for those in food poverty.
"It's just a great way for people to enjoy a good meal, whatever your situation, and knowing someone has picked up the cost," she added.
Since opening in 2020, the couple have always seen the venue as a way of harnessing the power of good music and food.
"It sounds cheesy, but people have come to this place and said they were on the edge in life and that this place and the music had saved them," Hannah said.
When asked what fuels the Sound Lounge's social mission, Hannah pointed to her own story.
"I really know how it feels when your back is against the wall, when you're in a position where money is tight," she said, reflecting on her experiences of homelessness and growing up on a council estate.
"It is important to bring people in, and music is the best way of doing that."
As part of its "partnership approach", the Sound Lounge works with local charities and social enterprises to offer support from its High Street base.
One of these is Time Out Youth, which sends vulnerable 11 to 19-year-olds to spend time at the venue during school holidays.
"They send kids here during half-term and summer," Hannah explained. "Kids always like being here, it doesn't matter if things get chucked or broken."
The Sound Lounge has around 10 permanent staff and an 'army' of volunteers.
"They all sit and have a drink together after the shift as well," Hannah added.
That community support shows up in practical ways, too.
"When we need help, people turn up," Hannah said. "We just had people turn up and say they can do the electrics for us when we needed them."
High Street's last record shop
Along with its bar and kitchen, the venue hosts Union Music Store, now Sutton High Street's last remaining record shop.
Danny Wilson, a musician who runs the shop and fronts the band Danny and the Champions of the World, told the LDRS how the venue is keeping music sales alive in the High Street.
He said: "When I was growing up around here there were six or seven record shops.
Oliver Ferguson works alongside Danny in the record shop, and as a lifelong music fan, he said his part-time role at the Sound Lounge lets him stay close to his biggest passion while being part of a supportive community.
He told the LDRS: "I got my first record here, a Thin Lizzy album. It's been part of my childhood."
Threat to venue's future
Yet behind the warmth and the music, pressures remain.
The Sound Lounge has admitted publicly that it is "really hard, and we are giving it our all," adding in a recent statement that they were "hanging on by a thread even before the new budget came in, and now things feel harder than ever".
They also noted how "a couple of significant hospitality places" on the High Street had closed, underlining how fragile the local economy can be.
"We love this place, we love our local town, we love the goodness The Sound Lounge brings and the difference it makes," they said.
"So be sure, we are here with all heart and soul for as long as we are able."
Relations with Sutton Council are also complicated.
As its landlord, Sutton Council has the final say regarding what happens after the Sound Lounge's lease ends on December 10.
The ongoing regeneration of the Elm Grove estate right behind the venue adds another layer of uncertainty to their situation.
The council project, set to deliver 277 affordable homes, has cast uncertainty over the Sound Lounge's future on the High Street.
"They told us the work was being delayed and that we could stay for a while, but we can't really afford the terms they offered us. It's just too expensive to be on the High Street."
The couple have asked the council to consider the venue's social and cultural impact when reviewing the lease.
"We get no real funding or support from the council, but we are keen to build bridges with them," Hannah said.
Despite this, Hannah is unwavering in her belief that the Sound Lounge will continue to have a presence in Sutton, with or without a venue.
Hannah said: "I know how we can make a difference; it depends on whether we have a building to base ourselves out of.
"For example, with the community kitchen, we know this could be the only nutritious meal someone gets all week.
"If we don't have a place, we won't be able to do that."
In the meantime, Hannah and Keiron are keeping their focus on the music.
With bands returning from a busy festival season, they expect the coming months to be packed.
"Working here takes a lot of graft, but we really believe in it," Hannah said.
A spokesperson for Sutton Council said: "The council is speaking to the Sound Lounge regularly in our role as landlord, but also in our capacity to support the cultural offer of Sutton.
"We will continue to do all we can to support the Sound Lounge within the lease agreement they signed with the council.
"The council has made an offer to the Sound Lounge to continue the lease and occupation beyond December 2025.
"The offer includes them staying in their current location within the town centre and the council has been working hard to accommodate the Sound Lounge's needs within the plans for the new Elm Grove development.
"We have also put them in touch with various partners to help them navigate how they may be able to better take advantage of grant schemes to assist their community and cultural ambitions.
"The Sound Lounge is a commercial business, including their festival, Folk in the Park.
"As with all businesses across Sutton, we want them to thrive. We have done and will continue to promote such commercial events, but where charging for events is taking place, the council cannot, without charging for the services ourselves, provide further additional support.
"The Sound Lounge continues to play a key part in enhancing Sutton High Street and attracting visitors, and the council will continue to offer any support we can."