4 minute read
British Land
We’re working with Southwark Council
to build a sustainable, inclusive new town centre for Canada Water
An UPDATE from the Canada Water Team
A lot has been happening since our summer update, as we’ve moved into the delivery phase of this exciting project.
Our main focus has been preparing the site ahead of the construction of the first buildings and spaces. We have also finished building a temporary higher education campus for TEDI-London, and finished refurbishment and conservation works to preserve the former Dock Offices as an important Grade II listed heritage asset.
Over the autumn, you will start to see the development begin to take shape as the construction of buildings and spaces on some of the first sites will start. We will include more information in our next newsletter and in the dedicated construction newsletters that neighbours to these sites receive.
You can read more about our construction activity by visiting: canadawatermasterplan.com/ construction-activity
CONSTRUCTION SKILLS CENTRE opens its doors in Canada Water, offering free training and support to residents interested in pursuing a career in construction
The Southwark Construction Skills Centre, a joint partnership by both Southwark Council and The Skills Centre, has moved to Canada Water and has already opened its doors to the next generation of construction workers, ahead of a formal opening in the autumn. The centre will act as a hub for information and advice on real job opportunities, as well as providing training for local people across Southwark, who are looking to pursue a career in construction. The Skills Centre is working with our own construction contractors to help local people access the future training and employment opportunities arising from the construction of the Canada Water development. We have worked with Southwark Council and Art Invest to bring the centre to Canada Water for at least the next 18 months.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in free training for a new career in construction and the local job opportunities available, please visit theskillscentre.co.uk email info@theskillscentre.co.uk or call 020 3621 1940. ____________________ MEET THE NEIGHBOURS – we met with Queen Quashi at Thrive
We met with Danielle, better known to Instagram as Queen Quashi, at her nail salon at Thrive in Canada Water, to find out about her journey, her business and how Thrive has supported her to get back on her feet. Danielle grew up and went to school in South East London, and lives in Canada Water with her husband. When the pandemic started, she had to shrink her business and give up her shop in New Eltham. She says, “The pandemic has been really difficult, especially for small businesses like mine. I had to close down my salon. I had worked hard to build it up – I had eight employees and overnight I had to say goodbye.” Thrive – which has been supported by British Land since 2016 - is a business hub in Surrey Quays Leisure Park that provides low-cost
View of the new Dock Office Courtyard community square, looking towards A2 and the Leisure Centre entrance
private space, mentoring and support for local start-up businesses who live in SE16. It is run by Tree Shepherd, a social enterprise that helps people across London reach their full potential and start their own business. Queen Qaushi moved in in December 2020 and has recently expanded with a new employee and a treatment room. She adds, “Thrive has given me an opportunity to build back. I went to university, so I had a backup plan, but my passion is beauty. The team at Thrive have helped me grow in confidence thought the support they provided. Beauty has sadly been the first industry to close and the last to open. It has been difficult, but this opportunity has meant I can shift my business and I hope to grow into a high street store.”
Get in touch to see what support Thrive can offer. Pop into Thrive in the Flame Grill unit in Surrey Quays Leisure Park by making an appointment or contact them on 020 3948 3020 or info@treeshepherd.org.uk or visit treeshepherd.org.uk ____________________ THE SOUTHWARK RESILIENCE AWARDS 2021
It is that time of year – the Southwark Business Excellence Awards, which has been reinvented this year to The Southwark Business Resilience Awards to reflect the impact of COVID-19. We are delighted to be one of the sponsors. We are supporting the Young Persons Contribution Award, as we know the impact the pandemic has had on our young people firsthand via our partnerships with youth charities Global Generation and Construction Youth Trust. The nominees have been announced. Voting closes on Friday 17th September at 5pm with the ceremony taking place on Thursday 21st October – tickets are free and all are welcome to join.
