The London Borough of Southwark Council has worked with the Peckham Partnership on an extensive programme of development dating back to 1996 when five roads were declared a renewal area and a ten year project plan was put in place to improve the area. Arts and culture has been embedded in the project from the very start and was part of the original vision for the partnership.

The arts were important in transforming the local environment, providing differentiation and distinction from other areas of South London. They also provide a way of including and celebrating the many communities in Peckham and proving a wider commitment to help Peckham not only survive but thrive as a commercial centre.

The partnership has invested in a number transformations, including a redesign of Bellenden Road, to create a sense of identity for the area. The partnership drew on local artists including Antony Gormley, Zandra Rhodes & Tom Philips to design unique bollards, street lights and bus stops. Shop fronts were brightly painted and renovated and seating areas on the pavement outside the pub and café are now heavily used in good weather.

A multiplex independent cinema was built on a derelict site on the high street with flowers embedded in glass in the paving outside which is illuminated at night, designed to represent all the different nationalities which live in the area. Images are projected onto a 70” screen on the cinema wall.

Other events have included Taste the Flavours of Peckham – festival with an accompanying recipe book based on fresh produce available on Rye Lane and the High Street sponsored and supported by Pru Leith. The I Love Peckham Festival is now in its third year with plans to stretch events to a whole week in the pipeline. Local artists worked with residents and shopkeepers to produce I Love Peckham banners, translated into 53 community languages, which are displayed around the area.An artists group named Area 10 has been established as well and new artists studios behind Rye Lane are in high demand.

The programme of development is deemed to have been a great success as the whole regeneration area is constantly busy. The independent retailers have found their niches and there are very few vacant premises; those which are empty are quickly re-occupied by traders.

There are lots of plans in place to ensure that culture and the arts remain integrated in Peckham’s future. An arts centre designed by Will Alsop has been proposed which would include a course on community arts as well as supporting outreach programmes with local communities. There is a new cutting edge gallery in the railway arches with strong links to the local St Martin’s School of Art and the gallery is keen to become more involved with local artists.

The Peckham Partnership has learnt that it is important to engage and consult with local people. Keeping the area safe and looking cared for is also important; Peckham has active wardens on the street and they are in the top four boroughs in London for street cleansing.

Pictures:
Taste the Flavours of Peckham Festival. Courtesy of Gianni Muratore.
Projections onto Premier Cinema, Peckham. Courtesy of Free Form Arts Trust.