Up Front

£6m campaign to bring people into London

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a £6 million investment to support the re-opening of London’s economy as COVID restrictions are lifted.

Around £5 million has been earmarked to support the eventual reopening of central London, including a new campaign to attract visitors and tourists back into the capital later this year.

A further £1 million will be spent on attracting people from across the UK to visit the capital postlockdown, which will be vital for the recovery of hard-hit retail, hospitality and cultural venues. Working with the business community, new initiatives will be brought forward to encourage Londoners and tourists from around the UK back into central London. These are likely to include major events that showcase central London’s public spaces and cultural riches. The money could also be spent on helping local businesses to put in place more al-fresco dining to enable hospitality venues to reopen successfully post-lockdown. The announcement comes as a new report lays bare the full extent of the challenges facing central London’s economy. Conducted by Arup with Gerald Eve and the London School of Economics, the report says that if home-working remains the norm for office workers and no further action is taken, this could lead to an estimated 86,000 fewer jobs within the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) by 2031, with job losses in retail, food and culture. The economy of London could contract by £36bn by 2031, the study says – a significant hit to the UK economy. Sadiq Khan said: “Central London is the engine of the UK’s economy. There simply won’t be a national economic recovery from COVID unless all levels of government realise the crucial importance of protecting central London’s unique eco-system of shops, hospitality and world-leading cultural venues. That’s why I’m investing £6 million directly in attracting people back into London once COVID restrictions are lifted.”

Dame Judy Dench becomes patron of Salter Centenary Project

Renowned actress Dame Judy Dench has agreed to become the patron of an initiative that celebrates the work of two iconic figures in Southwark’s proud history.

The Salter Centenary Project was launched to commemorate the lives of Ada and Alfred Salter, who devoted their lives to helping others and improving the lives of people in the borough.

Next year will be the centenary of Ada Salter becoming Mayor of Bermondsey and Dr Alfred Salter becoming MP. Local residents are getting together to celebrate the Salter legacy and carry their inspiration forward. A range of exciting celebrations are planned for the weekend of 10-11 September 2022. Sheila Taylor of the Salter Centenary Project said: “We are delighted that Dame Judy is supporting this worthwhile campaign. It will really help us to showcase the centenary celebrations and the work of two such important people in Southwark’s history. “Dame Judy is a Quaker like the Salters and in 2013 she helped to fund the statue of Ada on the riverfront. Like Ada, she’s an enthusiastic environmentalist, and it’s a great honour to have her support. “The Salters devoted their lives to work in three key areas: environment, housing and public health. Their vision was ahead of their time and is desperately relevant for the future of our world. We aim to create a weekend of events in the spirit of Ada and Alfred!” Ada was the first female councillor to be elected in Bermondsey in 1909 and eleven years later was elected mayor of the area, making her the first female mayor in the capital. A social reformer, politician and environmentalist, she became a key figure in the Bermondsey Uprising – a strike which saw thousands of women march against appalling pay and working conditions. In addition, she embarked on a mission to make Bermondsey a more attractive place in which to live, bringing trees, parks and playgrounds to the area. Dr Alfred Salter was a Bermondsey GP who devoted his career to improving the health of local people. Born in Greenwich in 1873, he became the youngest person to study medicine at Guy’s Hospital at the age of just 16. He was also a politician, reformer and peace campaigner who served on Bermondsey and London councils, and was elected Labour MP for Bermondsey in 1922.

London’s recovery “hinges on high streets”

The local economic recovery could “hinge on high streets” and a London High Streets Board should be put together to set out plans for the capital’s reopening, according to a new report from the London Assembly Economy Committee.

Two thirds of Londoners live within a five-minute walk of one of London’s 1,204 high streets. The assembly’s report highlights that without the boosting of high street business, a slow economic recovery is far more likely. Londoners have rediscovered the benefits of having handy shops just a walk or cycle away, with a friendly face behind the counter. Businesses have had to adapt to meet customer and safety needs, developing online shopping offers or click-and-collect options. The London Assembly said now is the time to develop detailed plans, with the government’s economic roadmap to recovery well underway. The assembly has put forward five key solutions to support high street recovery. These include the establishment of a London High Streets Board to analyse threats such as COVID-19 and help shape an economic bounce-back. Under the assembly’s plans, the board would prioritise lobbying for business rates reforms and levelling the tax playing field between online and in-person companies. Increased financial support for business improvement districts and strategies for tackling vacant premises and driving footfall to local high streets have also been highlighted in the proposals. Leonie Cooper AM, chair of the London Assembly Economy Committee, said: “London’s recovery will partly hinge on its many local high streets. Before COVID-19 hit the city’s economy, there were 127,715 local businesses open in the capital’s neighbourhoods – about a quarter of the city’s commercial makeup. “It’s time to reap the rewards of reopening by doing it right and setting up a London High Streets Board. Getting this right will really allow us to build back local and build back better, fit for the new, more local future.”

New musical mural for Camberwell

The Peckham Road entrance to Camberwell has a new piano keyboard mural.

Inscribed on the wall of 36 Peckham Road, the mural is inspired by the history of the Piano Factory building. Constructed at the turn of the last century, the building was used as an ammunition factory during World War 1 before becoming the Piano Factory, retaining its name when it was converted into apartments in the 1990s. A QR code will be added to the mural soon, offering a short history of music in Camberwell. It will play clips such as the Basement Jaxx track “I live in Camberwell” and Mendelssohn’s Spring Song, which is also known as Camberwell Green as he composed it while staying there in 1833. The mural was painted by artist Lionel Stanhope after consultation with Piano Factory residents and the 23rd Camberwell Scouts Group. It was funded through a crowdfunding campaign which raised more than £1,000. The balance of £500 was contributed by the Camberwell Society. Kelly Blaney, chair of the Camberwell Identity Group which organised the crowdfunding campaign, said: “Camberwell Murals is part of building the buzz around Camberwell. It encourages people to explore more of our diverse area and attracts new customers for our local businesses.” Camberwell Murals is part of the Camberwell Identity project run by SE5 Forum, Camberwell Society and Camberwell Arts in partnership with the local community and businesses. The aim of the murals is to highlight Camberwell’s unique identity and make everyone feel proud of it. The identity group has already successfully installed three murals: one on the Camberwell New Road entrance to Camberwell, one at Denmark Hill station, and another on Wren Road at Butterfly Walk.

Council awards £370,000 to community organisations

Voluntary organisations which bring together Southwark’s diverse communities and help people affected by the COVID pandemic have received a £370,000 cash boost.

Southwark Council has awarded the money to 16 organisations to help them tackle social isolation, build skills and promote a greener borough. Some of the money is being diverted to causes that support vulnerable individuals, such as those who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

One of the grant recipients, Walworth Golden Oldies, is a charity that supports older people from the Windrush generation. The funding will be used to help these people access health services, healthy living information and other resources online.

Russell Profitt MBE, chair of Walworth Golden Oldies, said: “This grant is literally a lifesaver for our elderly black, Asian and minority ethnic users. It’s particularly welcome at this time, as it will help us expand our efforts to help improve digital skills of local elderly residents. It’s critically important that elderly people are not left behind in the relentless rush to make everything digital.” Educational charity Global Generation was awarded a grant for its Paper Garden initiative, which encourages local young people to volunteer, learn from nature, and share their ideas about the rapidly changing areas of Canada Water. Emma Trueman, Paper Garden manager at Global Generation, said: “Thanks to the grant, we’re able to offer 60 free spaces to local young people on our Paper Garden youth programme. Young people will look at how they can take positive action to improve their communities, learning about environmental social justice and how to look after their mental and physical health along the way. “The project gives them the chance to work with local groups and businesses, get creative and develop important skills to take with them through school and employment.” “This grant is literally a lifesaver for our elderly black, Asian and minority ethnic users. It’s particularly welcome at this time, as it will help us expand our efforts to help improve digital skills of local elderly residents.”

Bermondsey housing scheme gets green light

Southwark Council’s plans to build 49 new council homes, two new playgrounds and an outdoor gym at Rennie Estate in Bermondsey have been granted planning permission.

Twelve of the new homes will be family-sized, three and fourbedroom properties, providing much-needed accommodation for local families in the area.

The development forms part of Southwark’s ambitious New Homes Programme, which is building 11,000 new council homes across the borough by 2043 to tackle the housing crisis locally. The council is looking at innovative ways to build new council homes, such as converting garages and disused areas across the borough. The development will see two new playgrounds built on Rennie Estate, one for under-fives and one for older children, as well as a new outdoor gym for adults. The plans also include the creation of a new communal amenity space, and landscape improvements between Trevithick House and the new buildings. In line with the council’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, the new development will use air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water for the buildings. This sustainable heating system absorbs heat from the outside air instead of burning fossil fuels, meaning fewer carbon emissions and lower costs for residents. Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for council housing, said: “I’m thrilled this development now has planning permission and will be going ahead. These new homes will be perfect for local people in housing need in the borough, providing the safe, secure homes they desperately need. “I know that adults and children living on Rennie Estate will be delighted with the new playgrounds, gym and other improvements we’ll be making there.” Works are due to start on site in winter 2021 and the development is expected to be completed by winter 2023.