Plans unveiled for Bermondsey ‘high street cultural venue’

A new development set to regenerate a prominent high street in South East London has been revealed.

Really Local Group and Southwark Council have collaborated to create a high street cultural venue for Bermondsey, centred around the restoration of ‘landmark’ central marketplace building The Blue.

Plans for the site include an all-day community space with a three-screen cinema, coffee shop, café, bar, co-working spaces and a food and craft hall featuring local artisans and vendors.

Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group, commented: “We are very excited to enhance the cultural infrastructure offer in a borough with an established craft and music heritage.

“Working with Southwark Council, we hope to be able to curate a new ‘cultural quarter’ for the town and secure collaboration opportunities with local independent businesses, artisans and traders.”

Cllr Leo Pollak, cabinet member for new homes, great estates and social regeneration, added: “After years of working to improving the mix of shops and stalls at the Blue… we are hugely proud to have secured a three screen cinema, community events and exhibition space and an affordable food market showing the best of local producers.

“We were greatly impressed by Really Local Group’s approach, and I’m confident this will become a major new arts centre for the north of the borough, and a game-changer for the Blue.

“This not only underscores our commitment to healthy thriving high streets across the borough, but the importance of municipal interventions high streets that need a ‘curatorial’ steer while getting the tone balance and affordability right. Bring on the summer of 2021!”

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